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From Sixteen Nine to Eighteen Seventy. 



The territory now comprised within 
the State of New York, has had sev- 
eral forms of government, and a num- 
ber of changes were made in each 
form from time to time. These may 
be divided into three periods, namely: 
The first, or Colonial period; the sec- 
ond, or the method of constitutional 
government which prevailed prior to 
the one now in operation; and the 
third, or present Constitutional period. 

In the first or Colonial period, the 
system of government was at first 
purely personal, the Colony being 
treated as a dependency of Holland, 
or as a farm belonging to the West 
India Company. Under the English 
government representative rights were 
from time to time secured, until com- 
plete independence was finally ob- 
tained through revolution, and a State 
government was organized, thus be- 
ginning the second period. 

During the second period two Con- 
stitutions prevailed, the principal dif- 
ference being, that under the first it 
was deemed best to associate a Council 
with the Governor, in the matter of 
appointments to office, while under 
the second this was abandoned. 

The theory of direct election by the 
])eople prevailed, in the formation of 
the third Constitution, constituting the 
third period, or the one now prevail- 
ing. 

Dutch Government. 

In 1614, or '15, a kind of fort or 
trading house was erected on the 
southwest point of Manhattan, or New 
York Island, but Civil Government 
was not established by the Dutch until 
1621. It consisted of a Director Gen- 
eral, or Governor, and Council, who 
exercised executive, legislative and 
judical powers. The Dutch Roman 
law, and the ordinances enacted by 
them, from time to time, constituted 
the law of the country, and appeals 



from the judgments of the Court of 
the Director and Council lay to the 
States-General or the Court of Hol- 
land. Many impediments were, how- 
ever, thrown in the way of such ap- 
peals. 

In later years slight concessions to 
the people were granted. The city 
of New Amsterdam, now New York, 
was incorporated in 1653, and local, 
or inferior courts, with limited juris- 
diction, were establshed sul)sequently 
in various towns throughout the Col- 
ony. A convention of delegates at 
New Amsterdam in 1653 demanded the 
introduction of a representative form 
of government, and some share by the 
people in the enactment of the laws, 
but this boon was peremptorily re- 
fused. 

The first Governor of New Amster- 
dam under the Dutch regime was 
Adriaen Joris. 

The Van Cortlandts. 

This distinguished family occupied 
an important place in the early history 
of this colony. In 1641, THE TWELVE 
MEN represented Manhattan, Brook- 
Ivn and Pavonia (now Jersey City) ; 
the members were elected to suggest 
means to punish the Indians for a 
murder they had committed. This is 
the lirst glimmsr of a representative 
body within the limits of New York 
and New Jersey. The board was 
abolished February 18, 1642. 

THE EIGHT MEN were elected to 
adopt measures against the Indians. 

These delegates were to meet every 
Saturday for deliberation. Five was 
a quorum. This body continued for 
four years, 1643-47. From 1645-47 we 
find the name of Oloff Stevenson Van 
Cortlandt, as a member of this body. 

THE NINE MEN were constituted 
by the election of eighteen persons, 
from among whom the Director-Gen- 
eral selected nine. Their duties were: 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



To promote the honor of God, the wel- 
fare of the country, and the preserva- 
tion of the Reformed religion accord- 
ing to the discipline of the Dutch 
Church, etc., etc. They constituted the 
first inferior Court in the present city 
of New York. Oloff Stevensen Van 
Cortlandt was one of the "Nine" in 
1649 and'50. He was also a Burgo- 
master of the city in 1655-56-58-59-60 
and '63. He also held the office of Or- 
phan Master, or Surrogate of the Or- 
phans' Court, in 1657, '60 and '61. 

His son, Stephanus, or Stephen Van 
Cortlandt, was a member of the Gov- 
ernor's Council from 1680 to 1688, and 
from 1691 to 1700. He was also Re- 
ceiver-General from March 25 to No- 
vember 4, 1687. He was Register and 
Principal Surrogate of the city of New 
York from September, 1696, until his 
death. He was also a Commissary or 
judge of Admiralty Court from Oct. 5, 
1678, to June 18, 1679. He was ap- 
pointed Provincial Secretary June 6, 
1688, a Deputy, Auditor-General Nov. 
10, 1687, and an associate or Puisne 
judge of the Supreme Court of the 
Province, with the title of Fourth 
Judge from May 15, 1691, until he be- 
came Chief Justice on October 30, 1700. 
The latter honorable office he enjoyed 
but a short time, for he passed away 
Nov. 25, 1700, terminating a brilliant 
and noteworthy career. It will be 
noted that he was one of the ablest 
men of that day, as he filled and per- 
formed the duties of the many posi- 
tions which he held with rare fidelity 
and with executive ability of a high 
order. He was an eminently wise and 
just judge, and his death at the age 
of forty-seven, when at the zenith of 
his powers, was a great loss to the 
young and struggling Province. 

Stephanus Van Cortlandt was the 
eldest son of Oloff Stevensen Van Cort- 
landt, a native of the Dutchy of Cour- 
land in South Holland, who arrived in 
New Amsterdam in 1637. 

Oloff was a man of note, and pos- 
sessed of considerable wealth. He 
soon became a man of affairs in the 
young city which became his home, 
and in the management thereof as will 



be seen l)y the number and variety of 
the stations he was called upon to as- 
sume, as heretofore noted. 

Stephanus Van Cortlandt was born 
in New Amsterdam, May 7, 1643. He 
married Sept. 10, 1671, Gertrude, 
daughter of Felyp Pietersen Schuyler. 
He was the first Lord of the Manor 
of Cortlandt, and the founder of the 
Northern branch. His youngest broth- 
er, Jacobus, was the founder of the 
Southern or Yonkers branch of that 
family. 

November 16, 1667, Stephanus Van 
Cortlandt received from Governor An- 
drus permission to obtain such lands 
on the east side of the Hudson River 
as had not yet been purchased of the 
Indian proprietors. It was six years 
later, however, before he began the 
first of his purchases, when on Aug. 
24, 1673, he bought Verplancks Point, 
together with the adjacent tract run- 
ning eastward, called "Appamapogh!" 
On July 13, 1683, he purchased from 
the Haverstraw Indians about 1,500 
acres on the west side of the Hudson 
River, comprising the valley opposite 
the promontory of Anthony's Nose, and 
north of the Dunderburg Mountains, 
through the upper part of which Sir 
Henry Clinton later marched to the 
Capture of Forts Clinton and Mont- 
gomery. 

Van Cortlandt bought later what 
were known as Von Bursum's and 
Dongan's holdings. Von Bursum 
was the first white owner of the pen- 
insula known as Croton Point. The 
Indian name was Senasqua, and it 
was also known as Teller's Point, 
from the earliest settler upon it. 

Governor Dongan's land embraced 
all the river shore except Croton 
Point, from the mouth of the Croton 
River — the northern boundry of the 
Manor of Phillipsburgh, north to Van 
Cortlandt's purchase at Verplancks 
Point, and running into the interior, 
to the Cedar Ponds. Van Cortlandt 
also bought the property of Hew 
(Hugh) MacGregor, of New York city, 
lying above Verplancks Point. 

These purchases covered the whole 
of Westchester County, fronting on the 
O "• 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Hudson, from Croton Bay to the High- 
lands, and extending due east, into the 
interior 20 miles to the Connecticut 
border, except two small pieces lying 
on the river above Verplancks Point. 
The first of these was called Ryck's 
Patent. The land covered by this 
patent contained 1,800 acres, lying 
between Verplancks and Peekskill 
Creeks, and upon which a large part 
of the present village of Peekskill has 
been built. 

The original purchasers of this 
tract were Thounis DeKay, Richard 
Abrahamsen, Jacob Abramsen, Syljout 
Harche, Jacob Harche, and Samuel 
DeKay. Permission to so purchase 
was granted to them March 6, 1684, 
by Governor Dongan. The royal 
patent covering these holdings was 
dated Dec. 23, 1685, and is known as 
Ryck's Patent. In 1729 the title to 
this patent vested in Hercules Lent, 
Jacob Lent, Sybout Harche Krank- 
hyte, Hercules Johnse Krankhyte and 
Jacobus Krankhyte, who agreed to 
partition the lands among themselves. 
This partition was made as fol- 
lows: Hercules Johnse Krankhyte and 
Jacobus Krankhyte received the one- 
third part or 600 acres on the north- 
ermost part of the tract; Sybout 
Harche Krankhyte received one-sixth 
part, 300 acres in the center, and 
Hercules Lent the remaining 900 
acres in the southernmost part. 

The second piece not included in 
the Van Cortlandt estate, was one of 
300 acres fronting, on the upper part 
of Peekskill Bay, which was deeded 
by Sirham Sachem, of Sackhoes, to 
Jacobus DeKay. 

It is upon part of this strip that the 
present State Camp of Military In- 
struction is situated. 

The lordship of the Manor of Cort- 
landt was not granted until June 17, 
1697, some fourteen years later than 
his first purchases from the Indians 
were made, under letters patent from 
Governor Benjamin Fletcher. 

On the death of Stephanus Van 
Cortlandt the property was devised to 
his eleven surviving children in equal 
shares, except that the oldest child- 



Johannes, received in addition, the 
whole of Verplancks Point. This pen- 
insula received its name from Philip 
Verplanck, a grandson of Johannes 
Van Cortlandt, who inherited it. 
Oliver Van Cortlandt, one of the heirs 
under his father's will, died without 
issue in 1706, and bequeathed his 
share of the estate to his brothers 
and sisters equally. The ten remain- 
ing heirs kept the property intact and 
undivided until 1730, when a partition 
was agreed upon. Philip Verplanck 
was appointed to survey and lay out 
the manor into 30 lots. This was done 
and the properties were conveyed 
under an appraisal made by Daniel 
and Samuel Purdy, as follows: 

Value 
Pounds 
Acres. Sterling 
Philip Verplanck (1).. 6,831 973 

Harriet Bayard (2).... 7,398 948 

Stephen DeKay (3).... 7,377 999 

Philip Van Cortlandt.. 6,648 975 

Stephen Van Cortlandt 6,894 972 

John Miln (4) 7,714 988 

James Beekman (5) . . . 8,062 912 

William Skinner (6)... 8.163 951 

Andrew Johnston (7).. 9,023 889 

John Schuyler, Jr. (8) 7,364 1,018 



75,575 9,625 

(1) Grandson of Johannes Van Cort- 
landt. 

(2) Granddaughter of Johannes Van 
Cortlandt and wife of Col Samuel 
Bayard. 

(3) Husband of Ann Van Cortlandt. 

(4) Second husband of Maria Van 
Cortlandt. 

(5) Husband of Gertrude Van Cort- 
landt. 

(6) Husband of Elizabeth Van Cort- 
landt. 

(7) Husband of Catharine Van Cort- 
landt. 

(8) Husband of Cornelia Van Cort- 
landt. 

PART I. 
Civil Divisions. 
The State of New York is by law 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



divided into counties, towns, cities and 
villages for civil and municipal pur- 
poses; into districts for judicial pur- 
poses and the election of representa- 
tive officers; and into school districts, 
for the maintenance of schools. Coun- 
ties are erected and their boundaries 
changed by the Legislature; and, with 
the exception of Hamilton County, are 
each entitled to at least one member 
in Assembly. There are elected in 
each county a sheriff, clerk, district 
attorney, treasurer, county judge, four 
coroners, a superintendent of the poor, 
and one school commissioner to each 
assembly district. In some of the 
larger counties the duty of recording 
deeds, mortgages and other papers of 
the same general tenure, is vested in 
a county register. Sheriffs, clerks, 
registers, district attorneys and cor- 
oners are elected for three years, and 
with special exceptions are paid by 
fees. County judges and Surrogates 
are chosen for four years, and receive 
salaries, fixed by the several boards 
of supervisors. The coroners, sheriff 
and district attorney of Westchester 
County receive a salary fixed by the 
Board of Supervisors. 

The Board of Supervisors consists 
of one member from each town and 
ward in each county, and meets an- 
nually for the settlement of its ac- 
counts, the apportionment of taxes 
and the regulation of its internal af- 
fairs. 

Towns. 

Towns were erected by the Legis- 
lature until 1849, when power was 
given .to the several boards of sup- 
ervisors (except in New York County), 
by a two-thirds vote of all the mem- 
bers elected, to alter or divide the 
bounds of any town or erect new ones, 
when such division does not place 
parts of the same town in more than 
one assembly district. A survey and 
map of towns thus changed or erect- 
ed are filed in the Secretary of State's 
office, and the action of the Board, 
is published in the appendix to the 
laws of the following session. Towns 
are also erected by the Legislature. 

There are elected in each town (not 



excepted by statute) a supervisor, 
town clerk, three assessors, a col- 
lector, one or two overseers of the 
poor, one or three commissioners of 
highways, four justices of the peace, 
constables, not exceeding five, a sealer 
of weights and measures, and two in- 
spectors of election from each elec- 
tion district. 

Assessors are elected for two years, 
justices for four years, and all others 
for one year. All are paid by fees, 
or a per diem compensation for the 
time employed. Towns are divided 
into school districts in which are 
chosen one or three trustees, a clerk, 
collector and librarian. If only one 
trustee is determined upon he only 
holds office for one year. If there are 
three trustees in the district one is 
to be elected annually for three years. 
The other officers are for one year. 
In cities or incorporated villages, 
school matters are vested in a Board 
of Education consisting some times of 
several members. 

New York Legislature. 

Under the Colonial Government the 
legislative power was vested in the 
Governor and Council and in the Gen- 
eral Assembly. The Council when full 
consisted of twelve members, who 
were appointed by the King, enjoyed 
the same authority as the Lords in 
Parliament, and, with the Governor, 
had an unqualified veto upon the acts 
of the General Assembly. They acted 
as a Privy Council to the Governor in 
matters of civil government, and held 
their office at the will of the Crown. 
Privy Councils were held at the fort 
in New York, at which the Governor 
was always present, but their legis- 
lative sessions were held without his 
presence, at the city hall. The senior 
member was speaker of their house; 
their proceedings were not published, 
and in their formalities they closely 
imitated the English House of Lords. 
Messages to the Assembly were car- 
ried by one of their members, and 
the House always arose at his en- 
trance and received him standing. 
Councillors received no salary; and 
towards the close of the Colonial 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



5 



period their duties had devolved upon 
a few, and were very great. The idea 
of a Senate, in our legislative system 
was probably derived from this body, 
which, in its forms and customs at 
an early period it much resembled. 
The Council exercised judicial author- 
ity upon writs of error and appeal. 

The general assembly was organ- 
ized in 1683, and at a later period 
consisted of twenty-seven members, 
elected viva voce by the people once 
in seven years, and by the districts 
they represented. The tenure of their 
office was formerly at the will of the 
Governor, and new elections were 
ordered so often as it suited his 
caprice or interests. In 1734 a law 
was passed limiting their term to three 
years, but this was annulled by the 
King. The septennial act was passed 
in 1748 and remained in force till the 
Revolution. The General Assembly 
elected from their members a speaker, 
chose their own clerk, and published 
their journal. Strangers were not al- 
lowed to be present at their sessions. 
They possessed the sole right of orig- 
inating all laws granting appropria- 
tions of money, and in the political 
struggles which began in Cosby's ad- 
ministration they exercised this right 
by withholding the compensation of 
the Governor, to induce a compliance 
with their measures. The acrimony 
of these quarrels had considerably 
subsided before the revolution, but 
they doubtless had an influence bene- 
ficial to liberty, by introducing po- 
litical discussions, and imparting a 
knowledge of the tendencies of irre- 
sponsible power. This body con- 
tinued its sittings until May, 1775; and 
among the last of its acts was the 
adoption of petitions to the King and 
parliament, in which, while they pro- 
fessed a warm attachment to the royal 
person and government, they solemnly 
protested against the aggressions that 
had for years been gaining upon the 
rights of the people, and expressed 
quite as strongly as was then avowed 
by the patriots of the day, the senti- 
ments of the Revolution. 

The acts of the Colonial Legislature 



required the approbation of the King 
in Privy Council to become valid; and 
the latter possessed an absolute veto 
power, which was, however, but sel- 
dom exercised. The act of approba- 
tion was engrossed upon parchment 
under the privy seal of the realm, and 
transmitted to the Governor. An im- 
perfect series of these is preserved in 
the state library and Secretary's office. 

The State Legislature has always 
been composed of two branches: the 
senate, of fewer members, elected 
from larger districts and for a longer 
term, and the assembly, of a larger 
number, chosen annually from the 
people, and presumed to represent 
their immediate interests. 

Bills may originate in either House, 
and must be passed by both in order 
to become laws, and be approved by 
the Governor. In case bills are re- 
turned by the Governor with his ob- 
jections, two-thirds of all the mem- 
bers present (if a quorum) passes a 
bill despite the objections. 

Each House makes its own rules 
and judges the qualifications of its 
own members. 

Until 1822 there existed a Council 
of revision consisting of the Governor, 
Chancellor and judges of the Supreme 
Court or any two of them with the 
Governor, who must approve of every 
bill before it could become a law, un- 
less passed by a two-thirds vote of 
both Houses, nothwithstanding this 
objection. This feature of the Consti- 
tution of 1777 was introduced by Chan- 
cellor Livingston. 

It is an interesting fact, that during 
the continuance of this council it re- 
jected 169 bills, 57 of which were 
passed despite its objections, among 
which was the law for holding the 
Convention of 1821 to revise the Con- 
stitution. Upon its revision the veto 
power was vested in the Governor, to 
the same eytent as is enjoyed by the 
President of the United States upon 
the acts of Congress. 

The Senate originally consisted of 
twenty-four members, and might in- 
crease one with every twenty-fourth 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



part of the whole number of voters, 
as shown by a census taken once in 
seven years, until the number equalled 
one hundred. This rule was found to 
be unequal in its operation. The Con- 
stitution was amended in 1801 by 
making the number thirty-two. The 
Constitution of 1821 placed the num- 
ber of Assembly at one hundred and 
twenty-eight. 

The Duke of York's laws for the 
government of the Colony of New 
York were compiled from the statutes 
for the government of the other Eng- 
lish Colonies in America, under the di- 
rection of Richard Nicolls, the first 
English Governor. They were promul- 
gated at Hempstead on Long Island, 
March 1, 1665. They provided that 
"No person shall be arrested for any 
debt or fine until the time when the 
debt or fine shall become due is ex- 
pired." 

Births, marriages and burials were 
to be registered. 

Capital runisluiient. 

"If any person within this Govern- 
ment shall by direct exprest, impious 
or presumptive ways deny the true 
God and his attributes, he shall be 
put to death. 

2. If any person shall commit any 
wilful or premeditated murder he 
shall be put to death. 

3. If any person shall slay another 
with sword or dagger he shall be put 
to death. 

4. If any man shall slay or cause 
another to be slain by lying in wait 
privily for him or by poisoning or any 
such wicked conspiracy, he shall be 
put to death. 

12. Every married person or per- 
sons who shall be found or proved by 
confession of partyes, on sufficient tes- 
timony, to have committed adultery 
with a married man or woman shall 
be put to death. 

"Inn Keeper and Ordinaryes." 

No licensed person shall suffer any 
to drink excessively or at unseason- 
able hours after nine of the clock at 
night in or about their houses, under 
a penalty of two shillings six pence 



for every offence if complaint and 
proofs be made thereof. If any quar- 
rel or disorder doth arise from intem- 
perate persons within their houses, the 
person so licensed for not immediately 
signifying the same to the constable, 
or one overseer at the least, who are 
authorized to cause the peace to be 
kept, shall for every such neglect for- 
feit tenne shillings, and every person 
found drunk in or about any of their 
houses shall forfeit two shillings six 
pence, and for being the author or 
acessory of the breach of the peace 
and disorder for tipling at unseason- 
able hours shall forfeit ten shillings, 
and for want of payment, or in case 
they be servants and neglect their 
master's occations, they shall be sent 
to the Stocks one hour at the least. 

Stocks are thus defined: 

(An apparatus of wood, much used 
in former times for the punishment of 
petty offenders. The culprit was 
placed on a bench, with his ankles 
fastened in holes under a movable 
board.) 

It shall be lawful, notwithstanding, 
for all licensed persons to entertain 
land travellers or sea-faring men in 
the night season when they come on 
shore or from their journey for their 
necessary refreshment or toward 
theire preparation for theire voyage 
or journey. 

Every person so licensed for the 
entertainment of strangers with their 
horses, shall provide one or more en- 
closure for summer; hay and prov- 
ender for winter, with convenient 
stable roome. ***** No man shall 
be compelled to pay above eight pence 
a Meale, with small beer only, unless 
otherwise agreed. Licenses to be re- 
newed yearly. 

No purchase of lands from After the 
first day of May, 1664, to be valid 
without first obtaining leave to so pur- 
chase from the Governor — and the 
same to be recorded 

No person whatsoever from hence- 
forth shall "Sell, truck, barter, give or 
deliver any strong liquores to any In- 
dian, directly or indirectly, — such as 
rum, strong waters, wine, brandy 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



spirits or any otlier strong liquore un- 
der any other name whatsoever. Un- 
der the penalty of forty shillings. 

Lying or publishing false news — by 
anyone over the age of fourteen — was 
punishable by setting in the stocks — 
or to be "publiquely whipped, with so 
many stripes as the Governor or any 
Court of Sessions shall see fitt, not ex- 
ceeding forty stripes, or four hours 
in the stocks. 

As to Marriage. 

"Whereas by the Law of England no 
marriage is lawfully consummated" 
unless married by a minister — -on the 
banns being thrice published or licence 
had. — "All which formality cannot be 
duly practised in these parts, Yet to 
the end" that decency be preserved — 
"It is ordained" that the names and 
surnames of the bride and groom 
"shall be publiquely read in their 
Parish Church or place of usuall meet- 
ing," * * "three several Lord's days 
successively." 

And where no church or meeting 
place shall happen to bee — fourteen 
days' notice in writing — before mar- 
riage to be posted on three designat- 
ed doors in the parish. 

If by reason of purjury one or the 
other had been married unlawfully— 
the guilty "party or parties so offend- 
ing shall be bored through the tongue 
with a red hot iron." 

Every freeholder, and his sons were 
required to have "a good serviceable 
Gun, and equipment for same." 

There was held a "General Trayning 
Day," under Major General of the 
district — also private Trayning Days, 
but not within fourteen days of each 
other and to be at the season most 
suitable for them. — Absence from this 
duty laid the offender liable to a fine 
of five shillings. 

It was provided that "No Man Shall 
be compelled to bear Arms or wge 
war by Sea or Land, without the 
bounds of this Government, but from 
defensive wars noe man shall be ex- 
empted." Person who had owned or 
occupied any lands, "without disturb- 
ance. Let Suit or deniall Leagally 



made to such Lands or Houses for the 
tearms of four years," &c. 

"All caskes used for any liquors, 
fish, beef, porke or other commodities 
to be of London assize, and of sound, 
well seasoned Timber. * * 

Every Cooper to have a distinct 
brand Mark on his own Caske — under 
penalty of a fine of Twenty Shillings. — 

Every Towne shall at their Charge 
provide a pair of Stocks — for offend- 
ers, and a pound for the impounding 
of Cattle. Prisons and Pilloryes, are 
likewise to be provided in these Towns 
where the Severall Courts are to be 
holden. 

The Pillory was a much more elab- 
orate affair than the stocks and is 
described as follows: "An engine 
for the public punishment of crim- 
inals. It consisted of two stout 
planks fixed like a sign-l)oard on 
the top of a pole, the pole be- 
ing supported on a wooden plat- 
form elevated above the ground. 
When a criminal is to be placed there- 
in, he is made to mount and stand 
upon the platform; the upper of the 
two hinged planks is raised to allow 
the culprit's wrists and ngck inserted 
in their proper groves, and then 
brought down into its place and fast- 
ened with a padlock, or some other 
way." 

"The following was a form of oath 
for jury: 

You do Swear by the Everliving 
God: That you will Conscientiously 
deliver your verdict in the Cause be- 
tween A. B. and C. D. in this Court; 
According to the Evidence given you, 
and the Lawes of this Government, So 
help you God." 

An official packer of beef, porke 
and other commodities, was sworn to 
perform the duties of his office faith- 
fully and conscientiously, "That if 
any person within this Government 
shall commit burglary by breaking up 
any dwelling house or shall robb any 
person in the field or hiewayes the per 
son offending shall for the first offence 
1)6 branded upon the forehead, for the 
second offence he shall be branded as 
before and severly whipped, and for 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



the third offence he shall be put to 
death." 

"If any person shall robbe any or- 
chard or garden or shall steal away 
any linen, woolen or other goods left 
without dores, he shall pay treble dam- 
ages or be whipped". 

That whereas it is said in the Laws, 
that implanted Land, shall pay 3s & 6d 
for every hundred acres, as ac- 
knowledgement to the Dukes". — It's to 
be understood of lands not formerly 
planted. 

That all persons upon Long Island, 
who have Estates from the value of 
20 £ to 100 £, may keep one Brood 
Mare, and noe More — And soe propor- 
tionately for every lOOL, one. 

"That every Towne doe forthwith 
make a fitt choice of a Gager and Pac- 
ker, to officiate as before according to 
Law." — 

Ordered that in case there should 
happen a Warr with the Indyans in 
this Government (which God forbid) 
for the better carrying on of the same. 
One or More Rates shall bee Levye<r' 
as occation may require. 

[Note.] — The quaint and unusual 
spelling of words, as shown in the suc- 
ceeding extracts, will no doubt grate 
upon the nerves of the critical. They 
are, however, copied from the original 
and consequently show some of the 
advantages of simplified spelling. To 
one familiar with the writings of the 
late Artemus Ward, it will seem like 
meeting friends. S. D. H. 



COLONIAL LAWS OF NEW YORK. 
Chapter 1. 
Every person or persons (not evil 
disposed or disturbers of the Peace) 
may from time to time and at all 
times freely have and fully enjoy his 
or their Judgments or Consciencyes in 
Matter of Religion throughout all the 
province — 

Chapter 2. 

A special rate of duty was levied 

upon goods conveyed up the Hudson 

river "by any Vessell Sloope boat 

cannoe or any other way — " for every 



one hundred pounds worth of Indian 
goods so called the summe of tenne 
pounds — Upon every barrell of 
powder the sume of twelve shillings — 
for every hundred weight of lead the 
sume of six shillings — And for every 
Gunn barrell or Gunn barrell with a 
lock the sume of six shillings. And 
alsoe for every Gallon of Rum, brandy 
and stilled Liquors the Sume of four 
pence. 

An excise upon all Liquors (Beer 
and sider only excepted retailed in 
the City and County of New York un- 
der five Gallons, the sum of twelve 
pence for each gallon soe retailed. 
The same amount was also to be 
levied upon Liquors carried up the 
Hudson River — and throughout the 
whole province and dependencies — 
Chapter 3. 
By this law the Compensentation of 
each member of the Assembly was 
fixed at ten shilligs. 

Chap. 4. 
An Act to divide this province and 
dependencies into shires and countyes 
"The County of Westchester to Con- 
tayn West and Eastchester Bronx 
Land, Fordham Anne Hooks Neck. 
Richbells, Minfords Island and all the 
land on the Maine to the Eastward of 
Manhatans Island as farre as the 
Government extends and the Younkers 
land, and Northward along Hudsons 
River as farr as the Highlande! — 
Chapter 5. 
An Act for naturalizing all those of 
foreign Nations inhabiting within this 
province and professing Christianity, 
and for Encouragement of others to 
Come and Settle within the Same. 
Passed November 1, 1683. 
"That all and every such person or 
persons of what foreign Nation, so- 
ever they bee, professing Christian- 
ity, and that now are actuall inhabit- 
ants within this province and have 
taken or subscribed or that shall take 
or subscribe to the oath of allegiance 
are and shall be hereby naturalized, 
and in all respects be accounted and 
Esteemed as his Majestees Natural 
borne Subjects and shall have and 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



Enjoy all Such privileges freedomes 
immunityes within this provir.ce as 
other his Majesties subjects doe have 
or enjoy provided nothing Conteined in 
this act, is Construed to discharge or 
sett at Liberty any servant bond man 
or slave but only have relacon to such 
persons as are free at the Makeing 
hereof." 

Chap. 6 
An act for Repealing the former 
Laws ab' t' Country Rates and allow- 
ance to the Justices of the Peace. 
Passed Nov 1, 1683 

Chapter 7 
An Act to settle Courts of Justice. 
Passed Nov. 1, 16S3. 
By this Act. "the Court of Sessions 
was to be held in the County of West- 
chester the first tuesday in June and 
the first tuesday in December yearly 
and Every yeare, the one to be held 
at Westchester and the other at East 
Chester also a "Court of Oyer and 
Terminer and Generall Goal (Jail) De- 
liverery," to be held for their county, 
the first Wednesday in December. 
Chapter 8 An act to prevent 

Wilfull Perjury Passed Nov 1.1683 
The punishmnt for perjury was a for- 
feit of 40 pounds — and imprisonment 
for one year — without baile or main- 
prise—" 

"And if itt happen that the said of- 
fender or offenders so offending nott 
to have goods or chattells to the value 
of forty pounds, that then hee or they 
to bee sett on the , Pillory (in some 
publique place within the shire City 
or Borrough where the said offence 
shall be committed) by the Sheriff or 
his Ministers and there bee branded 
with the letter P in ye forehead. His 
testimony thereafter to be discredited 
and disabled for ever to be sworne 
in any Courts of Record — 
Chap 9. same date. An act for the 
Defraying of the publique and neces- 
sary Churge of each respective Citty, 
towne and County throughout this 
province & for maintaining the poor, 
and preventing vagabonds — 
Chap 10. Same date. An act for re- 
warding those who destroy Wolves. 



"That Whattsovever Christian shall 
Kill a growin wolf upon Long Island 
— hee shall bee paid twenty shilligs — 
for a whelp of "half a yeare" ten shil- 
lings" 

"Indyans to bee paid a Match Coate 
for each — or the value of twelve shill- 
ings, and for a Whelp half as much — . 
"of which the officers for publique aff- 
aires in each towne of the Countyes 
are to take care that the same be duly 
satisfyed." 

Chap 11. An act to prevent damage 
done (by) Swine" 
" 12 An act for the due regulacon 
and proceedings on Execucons — Re- 
turnes of Writts, & Conferring the 
Fees Usually taken by Officers &c. 

Passed November 1, 1683 
Chapter 13. An Act of Settlement. 
Passed Nov 2, 1683 
Chapter 14 

A Bill ffor a ffree, and Volun- 
tary P' sent to the Governor. 

Passed Nov 2, 1683. 
Wherefore as a Signall testimony 
of our satisfacon therein we Do here- 
by and Voluntarily Give and p'sent 
Unto o'r s'd Governor and Doe De- 
sire that he would as ffreely accept 
and receive from us one penny for 
every pounds Valine of all yee Reall 
Pe'rsonell & visible Estate of all and 
every ye ffree holders & etc in his 
R'll H'sses Province, &c." — Commis- 
sioners were appointed to assess and 
levy this unique p'sent. The Commis- 
sioners for Westchester were Mr John 
Pell, Mr. Walter Webley, Mr. Wm. 
Richardson and Mr. John Archer^ — 

"One Moyety thereof to be paid on 
the first day of April 1684, "and the 
remainder a year later." It was fur- 
ther provided "And if any person or 
p'sons assessed by this act shall re- 
fuse or neglect to pay the sums as- 
sessed "by ye space of twenty dayc 
after demand" three or More of the 
Commissioners were empowered "to 
comitt such person or persons to ye 
Common Gaol there to be kept without 
Bayle or Mainprize until payment 
shall be made — 



10 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 



*The person who originated this 
unique piece of legislation was either 
an unconscious humorist, or a very 
designing man, who adopted this 
method to administer, under this 
plausible guise, what might be to 
many a very bitter and nauseating 
dose. The title to this Act is mislead- 
ing, and is Contrary to i ts provision, 
for while it proclaims "a ffree and 
Voluntary Present to the said Gov- 
ernor," It says: "that it shall be As- 
sessed, Levyed and Collected by the 
proper officers, and that failure to pay 
within the time given, makes the de- 
linquent liable to have the same col- 
lected by distress, &c. It was found 
necessary to re-enact the original 
proposition several times before the 
so-called gift or present was osten- 
sibly completed, and it is very doubt- 
ful if such a result was ever really 
accomplished. 
Chapter 15 

An act to prevent ffrauds in Convey- 
ancing of lands 

Passed Nov 3, 1683. 
Second Session 
Chapter 1. A Bill for Explaneing 
Several Clauses in the Act for Es- 
tablishing Courts of Justice within 
this province. 

Passed October 21, 1684 
Chapter 2 

A Bill to Regulate proceedings in 
Law. 

Passed October 22, 1684. 
Chapter 3 

A Bill Declaring of Whatt age Lands 
may bee passed away, and Guardians 
Chosen. 

Passed October 22, 1864 
Twenty-one named as the age for pas- 
sing title and fourteen for choosing a 
Guardian. 

Chapter 4 A Bill against Common 
Baratry Champerty & Maintenance. 
Passed October 22 1684 
The penalty for these was a fine of 
Ten pounds & disbarred for one 
year. «• 

Chapter 5. A Bill Concerning Chirur- 
geons and Medicines 



Passed Oct 23—1684 
Chapter 6. 

A Bill Concerning the Choice of 
Constables, 

"To be elected at same time place 
methods as formerly practice within 
this Govt." "That is to say annually 
on ye' third or ffourth day of April 
by the majority of voices provided 
Alway that if through the In- 
crease of Inhabitants, enlargement of 
Bounds or any other ways one Con- 
stable is not capable to officiate the 
place." One two or more may be 
elected. 
Chapter 7. 

A Bill against Fugitive servants and 
the Entayners of them. 

Abettors of this offence came in for 
severe punishment. The second para- 
graph reads: 

"Bee it further enacted by the au- 
thority aforesaid that whosoever shall 
knowingly Transport or Contrive the 
Transportation of any Apprentice 
Servant or Slave or by any ways aide- 
ing or assisting or abetting thereunto 
and be thereof Lawfully convicted 
shall be fined for every such offence 
five pounds Current money of this 
province for ye use of ye County and 
make full Satisfaction to the Master 
or Mistresse of Such Apprentice Serv- 
ant, or Slave for all costs Charges 
and Damages which the said Master 
or Mistresse can make appear to have 
Thereby sustained. 

Chapter 8. A Bill to prevent deceit 
& forgerys. 

Passed Oct 22, 1684 
Chapter 9. A Bill concerning Pur- 
chasing of Lands from the Indians. 
Passed October 22, 1684. 
Provides that from henceforward 
noe Purchase of Lands from the In- 
dians shall bee esteemed a good Title." 
Unless the Governor's Recorded per- 
mission shall have been given thereto 
— the satisfactory price paid and the 
transactions duly recorded in the Sec- 
retaries Office att New York. 
Chapter 10 

A Bill concerning Marriages 

Passed October 24, 1684 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



11 



This was a modification of the 
Dulte's Laws on this subject, the word 
"fornication" was substituted for 
"adultery." It also legalized marriage 
by Friends Ceremony. Known as 
Quakers. 

Chapter 11 A Bill Concerning Cattle. 
Corn Fields and Fences. 
" 12 A Bill Concerning Burials. 
" 13 A Bill Concerning Assign- 
ments of Specialtyes 
14 A Bill Concerning Brewers, 

The above are dated October 24 1684. 
Chapter 15, 

A Bill Concerning Orphans. 
Chapter 16, 

An Act for Quieting of Men's Estates 
& the Limits of Certain Actions for 
Avoiding of Suits in Law! 
Chapter 17 

A Bill to Prevent the Absence of 
Justices of Peace from their Courts. 
Chapter 18 

A Bill Concerning Masters Servants 
Slaves Labouring and Apprenctices. 
This forbade "any servant or slave 
male or female to either Give Sell or 
Truck any Comodity Whatsoever "un- 
der pain of Corporal punishment — 
Chapter 19 

A Bill Concerning Arrest. 
Chapter 20 

A Bill for the Settlement of the 
Militia 
Chapter 21 

An Act to prevent Arrests of Judg- 
ments and Superseding Execucons. 
Chapter 22. 

A Bill for Executing the Judgment 
of the fformer Courts of Assizes and 
Sessions. 
Chapter 23. 

A Bill for the Cording of firewood. 
Chapter 24. A Bill for the More 
Speedy and better Collection of the 
Governors. Free and Voluntary Pres- 
ent. (From this it appears there must 
have been a large number of Invol- 
untary donors.) 
Chapter 25, 

An Act for the Encouragom't of 



Trade and Navigation W'thin this 
Province. (Note Chapters 15 to 25 in- 
clusive were passed as of date October 
27, 1684.) 
Chapter 26. 

A Bill to prevent Damages done by 
Casting Ballast into Pavers. 

Passed October 28, 1684. 
Chapter 27 A Bill for Annuall Salary 
to the Judges of this Province. 

Passed October 28, 1684 

Under this Act the Judges were to 
be paid an annual salary "of two hun- 
dred and two pounds ten shillings," of 
which the city of New York must pay 
"Thirty-live pounds, and the County 
of Westchester ffiveteen pounds. 
Chapter 28. 

A Bill, for Altering the time of the 
Court of Sessions in the County of 
Westchester — 

The time was changed from the first 
Tuesday in December, to the third 
Tuesday in November. 

Passed October -29, 16S4. 
Chapter 29. A Bill Concerning fformer 
Mortagers 

Passed Octo 29 1864 
Chapter 30, 

An Explanation of the Continued 
Bill for defraying the Requisite Charge 
of the Government. Passed October 
29, 1684 

(See Chapter 2, passed October 30, 
1683). 

Second General Assembly. Held at 
Fort James in the City of New York — 

First Session October 20, 1685— 
Thos Dougan. Governor — 
Chapter 1. A Bill against Sabbath 
Breaking. 

Passed November 3, 1685 

Forasmuch as there is nothing more 
acceptable to God than the true and 
sincere service and worship of him 
according to his holy will, and that 
the keeping of the Lord's day is a 
principal part of the true service of 
God, which in very many places of 
this province hath been and now is 
profained and neglected by unlawfully 
travelling or journeying upon the day 



12 



FROM 1G09 TO 1870. 



aforesaid by shooting, liorse hunting 
and horseracing, riding on steeds, un- 
necessary hunting and tipling in ale- 
houses, taverns and other public 
houses, and other unlawful exercises 
and pastimes; alsoe exercising world- 
ly labors, business or worke of or- 
dinary callings. Except works of 
necessity and charity or other extra- 
ordinary occasions to be allowed by 
some Justice of the Peace on the 
Lord's day." 

It was enacted that any person or 
persons found guilty, "Shall, for every 
such offence, forfeit and pay the 
summe of six shillings and eight 
pence. Refusal or neglect to pay such 
fine subjected the offender to an ad- 
ditional fine of the same amount, to 
be levied by warrant." 

Chapter 3, Laws of 1691, passed May 
6, 1691, was entitled, "An Act for the 
Enabling each Respective Towne 
within this Province to Regulate their 
Fences and Highways, and make Pru- 
dentiall, rules for their Peace and 
Orderly Improvements." 

Chapter 22, passed Sept. 10, 1692, 
was passed for the purpose of "Rais- 
ing and paying of two hundred and 
twenty men with their proper officers, 
together with the incidentall charges 
that shall arise thereon for the re-in- 
forcement and security of the fron- 
tiers of this Province at Albany for 
Seven Months." 

Of this force, Westchester County 
had to furnish twenty-five efficient 
men and raise the sum of three hun- 
dred and twenty-five pounds. 

Chapter 25, passed November 11, 
1692, is an Act for Encouraging a Post 
Office. Is a very interesting docu- 
ment, in part, as follows: "Whereas, 
their Most Excellent Majesties by 
their Letters Pattent under the 
Great Seal of England, bearing date 
the Seventeenth day of February, in the 
year of our Lord, one thousand six 
hundred and ninety-one, hath given 
unto Thomas Neal, Esq., his Execu- 
tors, Administrators and Assigns, full 
power and authority to erect, settle 
and establish within the chief parts 



of their said Majesties Collonys and 
Plantations in America an office or 
offices for the receiving and dis- 
patching of Letters and Racquets and 
to receive, send and deliver the same 
under Such Rates and Summes of 
Money as the planter shall agree to 
give, &c, to hold and bring the same 
for the term of one and twenty years,. 

Andrew Hamilton, Esq. (was) de- 
signated to governe and manage the 
Said general Post Office for and 
throughout all their Majesties Planta- 
tions and Collonyes, &c. 

Hamilton had a virtual monopoly 
of this business. Private messages 
could be sent "by only Private friend 
or friends in their Ways and Journeys 
or Travell," &c. 

Here are some of the Rates: "That 
the Post of every Single Letter to or 
from Europe, the West Indies or else- 
where to and from beyond the seas — 
nine pence, Current money of this 
province — and soe in proportion to 
the greatness or Quantity of said Let- 
ters. 

From Boston to New York, or from 
Maryland to New York — nine pence — 
From Virginia to New York, twelve 
pence, and for the post of every single 
letter to or from any place not ex- 
ceeding eighty miles distance from 
New York four pence halfe penny. 

Any person attempting to provide 
and maintain horses and furniture for 
the horses of any through Post's or 
Persons Riding Post with a guide and 
horn as is usually in their Majesties 
Realme of England upon payin' or for- 
feiting the Summe of One hundred 
pounds." 

Chapter 26, passed November 11, 
1692. An Act for the Setting of Fairs 
and Marquets in each respective City 
and County throughout the Province. 

By this a market was established at 
Westchester, in this County, on "Every 
Wednesday," where one could "Expose 
for Sale, or barter in gross or retaile 
between the hours of eight of the 
clock, in the morning and Sunn-set of 
the same day, without any Let, hin- 
drance or molestation whatsoever. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



13 



Two annual fairs were authorized for 
this county: One to be held at West- 
chester on the second tuesday in May 
and end on the fryday following — in 
all four days. The second fair to be 
kept at Rye in the said County on the 
second tuesday of October. Yearly 
and to end the fryday then next tol- 
lowing — being in all four days and no 
Longer. 

Chapter 36, passed September 22, 
1693, was "An Act for Settling a Min- 
istry and Raising a Maintenance for 
them in the City of New York, County 
of Richmond, Westchester and Queens 
County, "for the two Precincts of 
Westchester County. One hundred 
pounds to each — fifty pounds to be 
paid in County produce at money 
price." 

The Act begins thus: "Whereas 
Prophaneness and Licentiousness hath 
of late over spread this Province for 
want of a Settled Ministry throughout 
'the same, to the end the same may be 
renewed and the ordinances of God 
daily Administered, be it Enacted," 
&c., &c. 

Chapter 41, An Act for the issuing 
and paying one Hundred pounds, to be 
raised for the Re-enforcing of the 
Frontiers of this Province, in the City 
and County of Albany. Passed Octo- 
ber 22, 1694. Westchester was to fur- 
nish Ten Effective Men, and pay 
Twenty-five pounds. 

Chapter 43, passed July 2, 1695, au- 
thorized the levy of Eight hundred 
pounds for paying and maintaining the 
soldiers on the frontier at Albany. 
Westchester's share was forty pounds. 

Chapter 52. An Act against pro- 
fanation of the Sabbath. 

Whereas the true and sincere serv- 
ice and worship of God, according to 
his holy will and Commandments, is 
often prophaned and neglected by 
many of the inhabitants and sojourn- 
ers within this province, who do not 
keep holy the Lord's day, but in a dis- 
orderly manner accustom themselves 
to travel. Laboring, working, shooting, 
fishing, sporting, playing horse, rac- 
ing frequently of Tipling houses and 



using many other unlawful exercises 
and pastimes upon the Lord's day, to 
the Great Scandal of the holy Chris- 
tian Faith, &c. The penalty for do- 
ing any of the acts above noted was 
a fine of six shillings. 

Chapter 74, passed May 16, 1699. 
A bill for ye Regulating Elections of 
Representatives in General Assembly 
in each Respective Citty and County 
within this province. 

Whereas of late ye Election of Rep- 
resentatives to serve in Assembly in 
ye Respective Cittys and Countyes of 
this province have been mannaged 
with great outrage, tumult and deceit 
to ye grevious oppression. And de- 
priving of ye subject of his Chiefest 
Birthright in clausing of his Represen- 
tatives in Assembly for Remedy 
whereof for ye time to come and y't 
ye subject may freely enjoy his un- 
doubted right of Electing his Repre- 
sentatives without Disturbance or Mo- 
lestacon. Bee It Enacted by his Excel 
ye Gov'r and Councill and Represen- 
tatives Convened in Generall Assembly 
And it is hereby enacted by ye Au- 
thority of ye same y't ye Represen- 
tatives of ye Cittyes and Countyes to 
be Chosen within this province to 
come to ye Assembly of our Lord ye 
King in their province hereafter to 
be holden shall be chosen in every 
City & County & Mannor of this prov- 
ince who have right to choose by peo- 
ple dwelling and resident in ye Same 
Cittyes Countyes and Mannors where- 
of every one of them shall have Land 
or Tavern so Improved to ye value of 
fforty pounds in free hold free from 
all Incumbrances & have possessed ye 
same three months before ye test of 
ye said writt & they w'ich shall be 
.Chosen shall be Dwelling & Resident 
within ye Same Cittys, Countys & 
Mannors & Such as have ye greatest 
number of y'm who Shall have land 
or Tavern so Improved to ye valine of 
forty pounds in ffreehold free from all 
Incumbrances as aforesaid, &c., &c. 
The Sheriffs were ordered to make 
sealed returns under oath of such 
qualified Electors." 

The call for such Election to be 



14 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



issued by the Secretary of the prov- 
ince — and sent to the several Sheriffs 
throughout the province — Six days' 
notice to be given prior to each elec- 
tion day. The Sheriff or his deputies 
to preside. Clerks, if necessary, were 
to be appointed by the Sheriff — to 
record the vote. Candidates to have 
the right to choose an inspector to 
keep tally upon the clerks, &c., &c. 

Chapter 83. Passed May 16, 1699. 
A Bill to Enable ye Representative 
Towns within this province to build 
and repair their meeting houses and 
other publick buildings— "Trustees of 
each representative Town" "or Such 
other persons who Shall be yearly 
Elected by ye Major part of ye ffree- 
holders." . . "Shall be hereby Im- 
powered annually or once a year to 
make a yearly rate, either for ye 
Erecting of a public Edifice or 
Church for ye worship & Service of 
God, where ye same is wanting or for 
any other publick buildings, town 
houses & Joales for ye publick service 
of ye Town," &c., &c. 

Chapter 120. Passed Noveml)er 27, 
1702. An Act for Encouragement of 
A Grammer Free School in the City 
of New York. 

The Mayor, Aldermen and Common- 
alty of the City of New York having 
Represented unto the General Assem- 
bly of this Province the great Neces- 
sily there is of having a Free School 
in the said City, for the Educacon and 
Instruction of Youth and Male Chil- 
dren; That Such Pious and necessary 
work may receive due encouragement. 
Be it enacted, &c., "that there shall 
be hereafter Elected, Chosen, Lycensed 
Authorized and appointed one able, 
Skilfull and orthodox person to be 
Schoolmaster, for the Education and* 
Instruction of Youth and Male Chil- 
dren of Such Parents as are of French 
and Dutch Extraction as well as of 
the English, may come and be instruct- 
ed in the Languages, or other Learn- 
ing usually taught in Grammer 
Schools. 

This act also provided that there 
should be assessed, Levyed and Col- 
lected for the Space and term of Seven 



Years the sum of fffty pounds current 
money of New York, for the maintein- 
ance of the said School Master. 

This is the first effort to provide 
schooling at the public expense. 
Why it should only be for the benefit 
of Youth and Male Children, is one of 
the questions that naturally arise. 

The young women aside from the 
training they received from their 
mothers, in the art of housekeeping, 
were thought to be sufficiently educat- 
ed if they could read and write, cipher 
as far as the Rule of Three, and pos- 
sibly, Practices." Familiarity with the 
higher branches was seldom consid- 
ered necessary. 

Chapter 123. Passed November 27, 
1702. An Act for Regulating of 
Slaves. 

Among other things enacted were 
the following: 

"That hereafter it shall and may be 
lawful for any Master or Mistress of 
Slaves to punish their slaves for their 
crimes and offences at Discretion not 
extending to life or. Murder." It was 
made unlawful "for above three slaves 
to meet together" unless "when it 
shall happen they meet." * * "for their 
Masters or Mistresses protRt," and by 
their consent," under penalty of being 
whipt upon the naked back, at discre- 
tion of any Justice of the Peace, not 
exceeding fifty Lashes." This act leg- 
alized the appointment by any City or 
Town of a Common Whipper, to be 
paid for his services a sum not ex- 
ceeding three shillings per head. 

"And in case any slave presume to 
assault or strike any ffreeman or 
woman professing Christianity, it shall 
be in the power of any two Justices 
of the Peace to comitt such slave to 
prison not exceeding fourteen days for 
one fact, and to inflict such other cor- 
poral punishment — (not extending to 
life or limb as to said Justices shall 
seem meet and reasonable. 

To Conceal or harbour a slave with- 
out the owners consent — involved a 
fine of five pounds. If while so con- 
cealed the chattel should die or be lost, 
the owner could collect the full value 
of such loss. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



n 



The testimony of a slave could not 
he taken against a free person, but 
their testimony would be held a^ good 
against another slave. 

To the credit of the men who passed 
the foregoing, the last clause reads 
as follows: 

"Provided that this Act shall be and 
continue in force only for one year 
from the publication thereof and no 
longer." 

Chapter 125. Passed November 27, 
1702. An Act against Forging, Coun- 
terfeiting and c Clipping of Foreign 
Coyn, which is Current Money in the 
Collony of New York. 

After the preamble provides: 

"That if any Person or Persons 
hereafter shall falsely Forge, Counter- 
feit, Clip, File, or otherwise lessen or 
debuse any such kind of Gold or 
Silver, as is the Current Money of this 
Collony, — or is permitted to be cur- 
rent within the same." The offenders 
on Conviction to be imprisoned for one 
whole year and a day, and to forfeit 
all their Goods and Chattels. 

Chapter 126. An Act for preventing 
doubts and mistakes, and for continu- 
ing process and judicial proceedings. 

The Grievous and Fatal Distemper 
which has the last summer soe fatally 
afflicted the City of New York, hav- 
ing been the occasion that the Sup'me 
Court of Judicature, which used to be 
held and kept in that City on the first 
Tuesday in October yearly was ad- 
journed to Jamaica in Queens County, 
(and owing to the cause hereafter 
n?med was adjourned from time to 
time). During the summer of 1702 
New York was visited by an influx of 
Yellow fever, supposed to have been 
brought from the Island of St. Thomas, 
W. I., and by which 570 of the inhab- 
itants, out of a population of between 
6,000 and 7,000, lost their lives. 

Chapter 131. Passed June 19, 1703. 
An Act for the Laying out. Regulating 
Clearing and preserving Publick Com- 
mon highways thro'out this Colony. 

"One" Public Comon General High- 
way to extend from Kings Bridge in 
the County of Westchester, thro' the 
said County of Westchester, Dutchess 



County and the County of Albany, of 
the breadth of Four Rod, English 
Measure, at the Least to be continue 
and remain for ever the Publick Com- 
on and General Road and Highway 
from Kings Bridge aforesaid to the 
Ferry at Crawlew over against the 
City of Albany." 

The following deserve^ notice, "Pro- 
vided always and it is the true intent 
and meaning of this Act that all Roads 
and publick Highways by this Act in- 
tended shall be of four Rod at the 
Least in Such as are now already 
used and laid out and of the breadth 
of Six Rod at the least, where any 
new Publick Road or Highway shall 
hereafter by Virtue of this Act be laid 
out. 

Commissioners are named in the 
several counties affected by said Act 
to carry out its provisions. * * "Each 
of them shall during the time they 
and each of them be Actually upon 
the Service and duty by this Act re- 
quired of them have and receive the 
Sum of Six shillings by the day cur- 
rent money of this Collony, &c., &c. 
The Commissioners named "For ye 
County of Westchester, Mr. Joseph 
Heavyland, Mr. Adolph Phillips and 
Mr. Joseph Drake." 

Chapter 146, passed August 4, 1705, 
amends Chapter 36, Laws of 1693, pro- 
viding a more efficient method of col- 
lecting the minister's salaries. 

Chapter 149. Passed August 4, 1705. 
An Act to prevent the running away 
of Negro Slaves out of the Citty and 
County of Albany to the French at 
Canada. 

In the preamble it sets forth, "that 
it is of great concern to this Collony 
during this time of warr with the 
French that no Intelligence be car- 
ryed from the said City and County to 
the French at Cannada." and as fears 
had been expressed that "Several 
Negro Slaves "have a design to leave 
their respective owners and go to the 
ffrench at Cannada" * * "to the great 
loss and detriment of their owners" 
and also of very precious Conse- 
quences to the whole province. 

A slave caught in the act of escap- 



16' 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



ing and convicted of the Crime the 
Act reads "Shall suffer the paines of 
Death as in ffelony. 

In order to compensate the owner 
or owners of such executed slaves, all 
private slave holders were assessed 
to pay the loss. The valuation of such 
slave, however, not to exceed thirty 
pounds. 

Chapter 151. Passed August 4, 1705. 
An Act for the Preservation of Deer. 
This provided, "That whosoever with- 
in the bounds of Suffolk, Queens, 
Kings, "Westchester or Richmond, 
Christian or Indian, Freeman or Slave 
after ye first day of January" (1705) 
"Shall kill or destroy Buck, Doe or 
Faun or any sort of Deer Whatsoever," 
except only from August 1st to Jan- 
uary 1st, "Shall forfeit & pay the sum 
of Twenty Shillings Lawfull Money of 
New York," &c. 

Dogs found "hunting or Chasing 
Deer, during the close season — were 
required to be shott and kill'd or 
otherwise destroyed." Chapter 152 is 
simply a duplicate of Chapter 146. 

Chapter 155, passed August 4, 1705. 
Revised and Continued Chapter 123, 
which see. 

Chapter 160, passed October 21, 1706, 
"An Act to Encourage the Baptizing 
of Negroe, Indian and Mullatto 
Slaves." 

"Whereas divers of her Ma'ties good 
Subjects, Inhabitants of this Colony 
now are and have been willing that 
such Negro, Indian and Mullatto 
Slaves who belong to them and desire 
the same, Should be Baptized, but are 
detered and hindred therefrom by rea- 
son of a Groundless opinion that hath 
spread itself in this Colony, that by 
Baptizing of such Negro, Indian, Mul- 
atto slave they would become free and 
ought to be sett at Liberty. 

Chapter 169. Passed September 18, 
1708. An Act for ye encouragement 
of the Post Office within this Province. 

This Act amplified a former act. 
Made clearer regulations, and legaliz- 
ed larger packages than heretofore 
provided for. Here are some of the 
rates: 



All Merchants Accounts not above 
a Sheet, bills of Exchange, Invoices 
&. bills of Lading shall be allowed 
within Rate in the price of Letters; 
and also the covers of the Letters not 
exceeding a Sheet of paper, from any 
places beyond the Seas — And for ye 
post of every pacquet of Letters Nine 
pence. And for ye post of every Let- 
ter not exceeding one Sheet from Bos- 
ton to New York or from Mary Land 
to New York, Nine pence current 
money aforesaid. And for the post of 
every Letter not Exceeding two Sheets, 
Eighteen pence. And for ye Like post 
of every pacquet of Letters, or other 
thing whatsoever, eighteen pence for 
every ounce Troy-weight." Single 
rates from Virginia to New York 
twelve pence. Two sheet letters two 
shillings. Racquets two shillings for 
every ounce Troy weight. A distance 
of eighty miles or less, four and a half 
pence, for one sheet — nine pence, for 
two sheets. For pacquets, nine pence 
for every ounce Troy weight. No one 
except the Post Master General or his 
deputies had any authority to forward, 
receive and distribute the Mails — Any 
violation of this rule subjects the of- 
fender to a fine of one hundred pounds 
and twenty pounds additional weeks 
time such offence may be continued. 

Chapter 170. Passed September 18, 
1708. An Act to prevent damages by 
Swine in the Counties of Westchester, 
Queens and Richmond. 

This made it unlawful for swine to 
run at liberty in the streets, meadows 
or undivided or common land or with- 
in their neighbor's fields or enclosures 
upon any excuse or pretense whatso- 
ever under penalty of a fine of nine 
pence for each trespassing swine. For 
the second offence the fine was three 
shillings. The swine were subject to 
being impounded, and if not removed 
after forty-eight hours' notice, it was 
lawful for the animals to be sold. This 
law was to remain "in force for the 
space of five years. 

Chapter 171, of same date. An Act 
for Suppressing of Immorality. This 
instrument decreed "that all Christians 
whatsoever within this Province, who 



PROM 1G09 TO 1870. 



17 



shall be convicted of Drunkenness, 
Cursing or Swearing by the Informa- 
tion of Every Constable within their 
Respective precincts," and if convict- 
ed thereof — Shall be fined the sum of 
three shillings for each offence. If 
unable to pay — the Justice shall com- 
mit the offender to the stocks for the 
space of four hours for Drunkenness, 
and two hours for Cursing or Swear- 
ing. 

Chapter 181, passed October 30, 1708. 
An Act for preventing the Conspiracy 
of Slaves. 

The passage of this law was incited 
l)y, as recited in the act, "the Execr- 
able and Barberous Murder committed 
on the Person and family of William 
Hallett, Junior, late of New Town in 
Queens County, Gentleman Deceased." 
This is virtually an extension of Chap- 
ter laws of 

Chapter 182, passed October 30, 1708. 
An Act for explaining An Act Entitled 
An Act for the Laying out. Regulating, 
Cleering and preserving publick Com- 
mon Highways thro'out this Colony. 

This law provided that on any laid 
out road or highway, every freeholder 
was ordered by themselves or their 
servants to work and labor for the 
Cleering, leveling and amending the 
said Highways not exceeding six days 
in the year under the penalty of three 
shillings for each day every person 
shall neglect or refuse such service. 

Chapter 185, passed May 24, 1709, 
was An Act for Regulating and Estab- 
lishing fees. 

They are too voluminous to insert 
here. These are the Cryers Fees for 
the Court of Sessions and Common 
Pleas. 

For Calling a jury each Case Nine 
pence. 

For Calling Each Witness four pence 
halfe penny. 

For Every Verdict Nine pence. 

For the Person that shall Ring the 
Bell or Eeet the Drumm each Action 
Depending in Court Nine pence. 

The Lawyer's Fees For Ye Supreme 
Court— 

For a Retaining fee Six Shillings. 



For Drawing Writt three Shillings. 

For Drawing a Declaration Six Shil- 
lings. 

For Drawing a Plea Three Shillings. 

For a Pleading fee upon Tryall Ten 
Shillings. 

For Every Terme not exceeding 
Three Courts, Six Shillings. 

The Lawyers Fees for the Court of 
Sessions, Mayors Court and Court of 
Common Pleas in Every City and 
County throughout this Colony for the 
prosecuting any Action to A Judg- 
ment in the whole shall not Exceed 
Fifteen Shillings. 

Chapter 190. Passed June 8, 1709. 

"An Act for the Currency of Bills 
of Credit for five thousand pounds." 

This provides "That Bills of Credit 
Shall be Issued forth to the value of 
five thousand pounds and no more pur- 
suant to the Currency of Money Speci- 
fied in An Act pass'd this Sessions for 
the raising of six thousand pounds 
which Bills shall be in the Manner and 
form following Viz.: 

This Indented Bill of Shillings due 
from the Colony of New York to the 
possessor thereof Shall be in value 
equal to money and shall be according- 
ly accepted by the Treasurer of this 
Colony for the time being in all pub- 
lick payments and for any fund at any 
time in the Treasury Dated, New York 
Thirty first of May one thousand seven 
hundred and nine. By order of the 
Lieut Governor Council and General 
Assemlily of the said Colony which 
Bill shall be signed by Lawrence 
Reade, Robert Walters, John Depeys- 
ter and Robert Lurting or any three 
of them who are hereby appointed and 
directed to sign and issue the said 
Bills for And towards discharging of 
such provisions and necessaries 
bought for the said Expedition." 
(These bills were made a legal tender 
the same as the Current Coin of the 
Colony.) The bills were issued in de- 
nominations of five pounds, forty shil- 
lings. Twenty shillings, ten shillings 
and five shillings. 

Chapter 204. Is a similar Act for 



18 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



the Sum of four thousand pounds 
which according to the weight of au- 
thority was passed Nov 1st 1709. 

Chapter 206. An Act for Levying 
Tenu Thousand Ounces of Plate or 
Fourteen Thousand five hundred forty 
five Lyon Dollars. Passed Nov 12, 
1709. The portion to be raised by 
Westchester County was Seven hun- 
dred and twenty seaven Ounces & a 
half of Plate, or One thousand & fifty 
eight Lyon Dollars. (A Lyon dollar 
was equal to five shillings and six 
pence. It had the figure of a lion on 
one face, the head of the reigning 
monarch on the other. — S. D. H.) 

Chapter 208. An Act for an Assign- 
ment to the Lady Lovelace. 

It directed "That the Treasurer of 
this Colony pay to the Right Honable 
Charllotte Lady Lovelace Baroness 
Dowager of Hurley or her Assigns to- 
wards the Discharge of her Extraor- 
dinary expence Twelve hundred and 
fifty ounces of Plate or Eighteen hun- 
dred and eighteen Lyon Dollars. 

Chapter 216. An Act for the better 
settlem't and assuring of lands in this 
Colony. 

Passed October 30, 1710. 

This act as its title indicates, was 

to define some Dutch words and terms 

used in Conveyances Deeds &c in that 

language. ■ 

"And be it further Enacted by the 
Authority aforesaid. That the Dutch 
Word Onroerde, and the word Vaste 
Staat, which are Commonly Rendered 
into English by the Words Immovable 
and fast Estate, by which in the Dutch 
Language is understood a Real Estate, 
houses. Lands and Tenements, and 
other Real Estate of Inheritance, And 
are used in any Dutch Antenuptial 
Contract or Law Will & Testament, or 
Deed or Deeds made in this Colony, 
and Duly Executed before Two or 
More Credible Witnesses at any time 
before the publication of this Act, 
Ought therefore to be understood of a 
Real Estate," and such documents 
were by this act to be so construed 
and to be held valid in her Majesties 
Courts within this Colony and Recover 



Possession Accordingly, any Law Us- 
age or Custome to the Contrary hereof 
in any wise Notwithstanding." 

Chapter 217. Permits the Clipping 
of Spanish Coins only, in order to 
make up deficiency in the weight of 
Coin of the Realm. 

Chapter 208. Passed October 30, 
1710. An Act for continuing An Act 
for laying a Duty on the Tonnage of 
Vessells & Slaves — ■ 

"Every Master or Commander of any 
Ship or Vessell Shall within Twenty 
foure hours after the Arrivall of his 
Vessell in the harbour or Port afore- 
said, on notice given him by (Collector 
of the Port), make oath before (the 
proper officer) What Number of Slaves 
are brought or come into the Said Port 
in his Ship or Vessell." Neglect or 
refusal after twenty four hours no- 
tice subjected the offender to a for- 
feit of Twenty pounds. (The duty on 
a slave was three pounds.) 

Chap. 230, passed July 26, 1711. In ad- 
dition to the provisions of Chapter 
218. made it obligatory upon the Col- 
lector, in case the duty of three pounds 
was not paid "it shall and may be 
Lawfull for the said officer to Expose 
Such Negro or other slave to Publick 
Sale to the highest bidder for the pay- 
ment of the duty aforesaid and Charge 
and Expence of Keeping and Sale." 

Chapter 231, passed July 26, same 
year, was another act for raising 
money, and contained this provision 
to prevent counterfeiting — "to prevent 
Counterfeiting any of the said Bills 
they shall be Dated and Indented on 
the top thereof, with the Arms of the 
City of New York stamped or printed 
on the right side thereon, towards the 
Bottom of every of the said Bills, and 
the Indent shall pair with and suite a 
counterpart thereof bound in a book 
for that purpose," &c. 

Chapter 240. Passed November 24, 
1711. An Act to oblige the Mannors 
in the County of Westchester to pay 
their arrears of Taxes." It says "That 
the Assessors and Collector of the next 
adjacent Town to any Mannor or pre- 
cinct within the County of Westches- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



19 



ter, who do not, or refuse or neglect 
to Choose and appoint Assessors and 
Collectors for Levying and receiving 
the publick Money raised by Acts of 
Assembly, shall and are hereby re- 
quired, impowered and authorized to 
Assess and Collect the County and 
publick taxes hereafter to be laid as 
they are required to do in their re- 
spective Towns," & &c. 

The Colony authorizes a Monopoly 
for five years. 

Chapter 245. Passed June 26, 1712. 
An Act for prohil)iting all persons but 
John Parmiter and his assigns to make 
Lsm(p)b black during the space of 
five years. 

Chapter 270. This enlarges a former 
act for clearing and maintaining the 
highways. By this it was provided 
"That if the overseer of Roads and 
Highways shall think fit and have oc- 
casion of any Team, Cart or Waggon, 
and a man- to manage the same, the 
said Team Cart or Waggon, shall be 
esteemed to be for three Days work 
of a single man, and the Fine propor- 
tionably to be tripple. And every 
working man shall be obliged to buy 
such materials of Spades, Axes, Crows, 
Pick axes and other utensels, as Shall 
be directed by the Overseers of the 
Highways. 

The Commissioners for this County, 
-as named were Adolph Phillipse, Esq., 
Caleb Hathcote, Esq., Mr. Joseph 
Drake, Mr. John Stephenson and Mr. 
John Haith. 

They were required for each free 
holder not exceeding Six days in any 
one year. 

Chapter 302. Remits duty, wrong- 
fully collected from John Sloss, a resi- 
dent of Connecticut. 

Chapter 303, passed July 21, 1715, 
reads by title as follows — 

"An Act to Exempt Hannah Martin, 
Dr Christian Cooper and Mr George 
Smith from paying of the tax for 
twelve negroes Imported from South 
Carolina. 

Mrs. Martin's chattels were named 
Coffee, Wappin and Sampson, (men) 
and two girls called Pegg and Phillis. 



Dr Christian Cooper had five men 
named Tom, Sambo, Jack, Josca & 
Caesar. Mr Geo. Smith had a Negro 
woman call'd Janne & her daughter 
Nanny. 

Chapter 312 was passed the same 
date. Its Title as follows. An Act for 
relieving the Inhabitants of the Colony 
of South Carolina from the dutys laid 
and paid in this Colony of New York 
for such Goods Slaves and Merchandize 
as they shall Import into this Colony 
during the time of Six Months. 

Chapter 319. Passed September 14, 
1716. An Act for Destroying Wolves 
& Foxes in the County of Westchester. 

Chapter 328. May 27, 1717. An Act 
for the Restraining the taking of Ex- 
travagant and Excessive Usury. That 
upon all Bonds Contract and assur- 
ances — made after the publication of 
this act, to be void if more than six 
percentum was to be charged. 

Chapter 347, passed Dec 23 1717, as 
its Title partly indicates, was what 
in these days is called an Omnibus 
Bill. An Act for Paying and Discharg- 
ing General Debts due from this Col- 
ony to the Persons therein named and 
for Raising and putting into the hands 
of the Treasurer of this Collony sev- 
eral quantities of Plate to be apply 'd 
to the Publick and necessary uses of 
this Colony and to make Bills of CredK 
to the value of fforty One Thousand 
ffive hundred and Seaventeene Ounces 
ajid an half of Plate for that purpose." 
This has a local interest To Coll Jacob 
Rutsen, his Exec'rs or assigns, the 
quantity of thirty one ounces five 
pennyw't of Plate afores'd, for the Ar- 
rearages of the Taxes of the County 
of Ulster, which he paid to Coll Steph- 
en van Cortlandt, one of the Com- 
missioners for Executing the office of 
Receiver Gen'll. of this Collony, as ap- 
peared by his Receipt." 

To Robert Livingston Junr Attorney 
at Law, for his services in transcrib- 
ing & Engrossing this Act, Seven & 
forty ounces & a half of Plate afores'd. 

Chapter 348, passed Dec. 23, 1717, is 
interesting because it was an attempt 
to help the tanning industry in the 



20 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Colony — 

"An Act to Prohibit the Exportation 
of Raw Hides from this Colony. 

Chapter 369. June 24, 1719. An 
Act Laying a Duty on all Empty Casks 
Imported into this Colony. 

Chapter 373. Passed June 24, 1719. 
An Act to authorize tlie Justices of the 
Peace to Build & Repair Goales & 
Court Houses in the Several Countys 
of this Province." As to Westchester 
Co. it was to continue in force five 
years. 

Chapter 387. Passed Nov. 19, 1720. 
An Act appointing the Several Persons 
therein-named and appointed to let to 
Farme the Excise of Stronge Liquors 
in the Several Cities and Counties 
within this Province. 

For Westchester County Joseph 
Budd Commissioner for twenty years. 
Bond of Commissioner 60 pounds. 

Chapter 388. Passed Nov. 19, 1720. 
An Act directing and appointing the 
vallue that Lyon Dollars shall pass 
Current for within this Province. 
"That every Lyon Dollar of the 
Weight of Seventeen Penny Weight 
and not Counterfeit" shall be taken 
received, paid and pass Current at the 
rate and be of Equal value to Fifteen 
Penny Weight of Sivil Pillar or Mexico 
Plate. 

Chapter 389. An Act to Impower the 
Justices of the Peace in the County 
of Westchester to Assign a place to 
Build a Court House and Jail for that 
County." 

Chapter 410, July 27, 1721. An Act 
to prevent Ingrate and vile perso'ns 
from being a Charge and Expense to 
any the Counties, Cities Towns, Man- 
ners or Precincts within this Prov- 
ince. 

This Act provided that if any per- 
son was found lurking around any 
citj', town or village, without visible 
means of support, should be commit- 
ted to a Constable, and by him deliv- 
ered find such stranger not of sufficient 
Substance, and likely to become a pub- 
lic charge to the City, Town, Mannor 
or precinct in which stranger then 
shall be, the Mayor or Justices by 



warrant Directed to the Constable, 
may Send the Said Stranger to the 
place from whence he or She last 
Came, and the Constable Transport- 
ing Such Stranger Shall Deliver Such 
Stranger or vagrant persons together 
with his Warrant, to Some Constable 
of the City, Town, Manner or precinct 
of the place from whence he or she 
last Came and so to be carried from 
Constable to Constable until reaching 
their alleged home. 

Chapter 411. Passed July 27, 1721. 
An Act to prevent Lotteries within the 
Province of New York. 

"Whereas the Vending and Dispos- 
ing of Goods, Wares, and Merchandize 
by way of Lottery, Raffling, Ballating 
and Voluntary Subscription, or other- 
ways, that Determines and alters the 
Property of Goods by Lot, as Sliall fall 
by Chance, having been used and prac- 
ticed to the Manifest prejudice of 
Trade, and Obstructions of Commerce 
and Vendues & &c. Therefore in fu- 
ture such acts were forbidden. 

Chapter 419. Passed July 27, 
1721. An Act for Settling the Mi- 
litia of this Province and the 
making of it usefull for the Security 
and Defence thereof and for Repeal- 
ing all former Acts Relating to the 
same." 

One section directed "that no Per- 
son whatsoever do presume to Fire 
any small Arms after Eight of the 
Clock at Night unless in case of Alarm, 
Insurrection or any other Lawfull oc- 
casion." 

Chapter 433, Nov. 1,'1722. An Act 
to Increase the Number of Supervisors 
in the County of Westchester and that 
no wages of Supervisors Shall be any 
part of said County's Rate for the fu- 
ture. 

Chapter 517, Sept. 20, 1728, amends 
the Gen'l Highway Law. An Act for 
better clearing regulating and further 
laying out publick high roads in the 
County of Westchester." 

"Altho' all or most of the highways 
are already laid out in this County it 
may be necessary to lay out some oth- 
ers for the Conveniences of Carriage 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



21 



and Travellers, and as for various 
good reason it was deemed wise that 
Commissioners from the nearby locali- 
ties be named. Then so much of the 
general law as it applied to Westches- 
ter was repealed — by this act — and 
local Commissioners were named for 
its several Towns and Manors. For 
the Mannor of Cortland & Rycks 
Patent Philip Van Cortlandt Esq'r Mr 
Harck Lent & Mr Johannes Teller. 
This act was to expire by limitation in 
1730. 

Chapter 607. June 22, 1734. An Act 
for Regulating the Choice of a Repre- 
sentative for the Mannor of Cortlandt 
in the County of Westchester." (This 
legalizes the election of Philip Ver- 
planck, the sitting member, whose 
eligibility had been questioned. — S. D. 
H.) 

Chapter 651. Dec. 16, 1737. An Act 
to restrain Tavern Keepers and In 
holders from Selling strong Liquors 
to servants and apprentices and from 
giving large Credit to others. 

Chapter 654. Passed December 16, 
1737. An Act for Defraying the Gen- 
eral and Necessary Charge of the Man- 
nor of Cortland in the County of West- 
chester. 

That it shall and May be Lawfull 
for the Inhabitants of the Mannor of 
Cortland being Freeholders, to Elect 
& Choose yearly and every year one 
Supervisor — one Treasurer, Two As- 
sessors & one Collector for the said 
Mannor — to have the Same Power, au- 
thority office & Function & &c as the 
same officers in the several and Re- 
spective Countyes Within this Colony." 
Their representatives in the General 
Assembly "Shall be paid Six Shillings 
for every day He attends Service in 
the said Assembly. 

Chapter 660. Same date. An Act 
for Levying the Interest of Money to 
Seven p. cent — 
By Chapter 668 passed Dec 16, 1737. 

Chapter 670. Regulation for excise 
fines in the City of N Y. 

Chapter 804. Passed Nov. 29, 1745. 
An Act to Alter the Place of the Su- 
pervisor's meeting in the County of 



Westchester — (to Rye) 

Chapter 817. Passed Feby. 27, 1746. 
An Act Raising the sum of three thou- 
sand Three Hundred and Seventy Five 
Pounds by a Publick Lottery for this 
Colony for the more Effectual forti- 
fying the City of New York. 

Chapter 911. An Act to fix and as- 
certain the Place for Elections of Rep- 
resentatives, to Serve in Generall As- 
sembly for the County of Westchester. 
Passed Nov. 25, 1751. 

"The Sheriff of the said County for 
the time being, or his Deputy Shall 
hold his Court of Election at or Near 
the Presbyterian Meeting House in the 
White Plains in Said County, and at 
no other place whatsoever owing to 
the increase of Population, &c.) . 

Chapter 1029. Passed Dec. 1, 1756. 
An Act for erecting and Establishing 
a Stamp office in this Colony for 
Stamping all Vellum Parchment and 
Paper charged with the several Duties 
therein mentioned. Here are some of 
the duties levied: 

"For every skin or piece of Vellum, 
Parchment or sheet or piece of Paper 
upon which Any Declaration Plea Rep/ 
lication Rejoinder Demurrer or other 
pleadings Whatsoever in any Court of 
Laws shall be Written or Printed or 
both the sum of Two-pence. For 
every Skin or peice of Vellum, Parch- 
ment or sheet or piece of Paper, on 
any Capias Summons or Execution 
from any Justice of the Piece shall be 
Written or Printed or both one Penny, 
&c. 

Chapter 1032. Passed Dec. 1, 1756. 
An Act for raising by a Publick Lot- 
tery for this Colony the sum of One 
thousand one Hundred and Twenty 
five Pounds towards Erecting a New 
Goal in the City of New York. 

Chapter 1038. Passed December 1, 

1756. An Act for appropriating the 
Moneys Raised by divers Lottery's for 
Erecting or founding a College in this 
Colony. 

Chapter 1040. Passed Feby. 26, 

1757. An Act for the speedy and Ef- 
fectual Recruiting the Forces to be 
furnished by this Colony to Act in 



22 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Conjunction with his Majesties Regu- 
lar Troops and those of the Neighbor- 
ing Colony's against the Subjects of 
the French King. 

From Westchester County Twenty 
Eight Effective Men. 

Chapter 1059. Passed Mch. 24, 1758. 
An Act for raising Paying and Cloth- 
ing Two Thousand Six Hundred and 
Eighty Effective men Officers included 
for forming an Army of Twenty thou- 
sand men with the forces of the Neigh- 
boring Colony's to Invade the French 
Possessions in Canada in Conjunction 
with a Body of His Majesties Regu- 
lar Troops; and other purposes there- 
in mentioned. 

There was further to be raised by 
this Colony the sum of One hundred 
thousand pounds in yearly payments — 
up to the year 1767, November 1, of 
which Westchester County was to 
raise yearly the sum of seven hun- 
dred and fourteen pounds — and of men 
Three hundred and ninety four. 

Chapter 1103. Passed December 24, 
1759, was 

An Act to Restrain Hawkers and 
Peddlars from selling without License 
in their Colony. 

Chapter 1177. Passed March 20, 

1762. An Act to raise levy and collect 
a sum not exceeding Five Hundred 
Pounds in the County of Westchester 
towards Finishing the Court House 
and Jail in the said County. 

Chapter 1180. Passed May 6, 1762, 
is interesting for another example of 
raising funds to further public uses. 
An Act for raising the sum of Three 
thousand Pounds by way of Lottery 
towards repairing the City Hall in the 
City of New York. 

Chapter 1224. Passed December 13, 

1763. An Act for the Relief of the 
Poor in the Manor of Cortlandt in 
the County of Westchester. 

Chapter 1307. To Prevent Hawkers 
and Pedlars. 

Chapter 1458 continues legislation. 
Begun by Chapter 801, as its title re- 
cites. An Act to revive "An Act, in- 
titled "An Act for the better clearing, 
regulating and further laying out Pub- 



lic Highways in the County of West- 
chester" with some Alterations. 

The Commissioners named for the 
Manor of Cortlandt, are Philip Ver- 
planck, Pierre Van Cortlandt, Joseph 
Sherwood and Hackeliah Brown. 

The final section of the Act reads in 
part as follows: "That the Commis- 
sioners or the Major Part of them for 
the Manor of Cortlandt in said County 
shall from Time to time during the 
Continuance of this Act enter in writ- 
ing all the Highways or Rpads by them 
laid out, altered or stopt up and sign 
the same by putting their names there- 
to, and cause the same to be entered 
in the Record of the said Manor, or 
in the County Record, and the several 
Clerks are hereby directed and re- 
ciuired to record the same, & &c. 

Chapter 1459. Passed July 27, 1770. 
An Act to impower the Free holders 
and Inhabitants of Rykes Patent, in 
the Manor of Cortlandt, in Westches- 
ter County to Elect Annually, One 
Supervisor, and such other Officers as 
are therein mentioned — namely, One 
clerk, one Supervisor, one Constable, 
one Assessor, one Collector, one Poor 
Master, two Fence Viewers, one 
Pound Master, and one or more Sur- 
veyors of the Highways — &c., &c. 

Lotteries carried on by Private par- 
ties made illegal. 

Chapter 1542. An Act more effec- 
tually to prevent' private Lotteries. 

Mch. 27, 1772. 
The following record is compiled 
from the "Proceedings of the Board 
of Supervisors" from October 6, 
1772, to date, 1870, with the ex- 
ception of the years 1775, 1776 and 
1777, during which period the county 
was the scene of many struggles be- 
tween the contending parties. It was 
also the refuge of the unprincipled 
scoundrels, who levied tribute on the 
defenseless inhabitants of the "Neutral 
Ground," as that part of this country 
between the Croton river and the Har- 
lem was called. The matters pertain- 
ing to the town of Cortlandt have been 
carefully selected, with some others 
of general and vital interest to every 
student of the history of this interest- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



ing locality. It is by no means com- 
plete, as it would take several volumes 
to do justice to the subject. 

This county, constituting one of the 
original divisions of the state under 
British rule, soon after the first con- 
quest, was organized Nov. 1, 1683, with 
its present limits. 

At the organizadon of the county 
the courts were established at West- 
chester and were continued until 1759 

A Court of Sessions was held ai 
Eastchester for some time. By the Act 
of Dec. 16, 1758, the justices and su- 
pervisors were directed to select a 
new site for a court house, which was 
located at White Plains; and in 1759, 
1760 and 1762 two thousand pounds 
were voted to erect and finish it. This 
court house was in use until 1776. 
when it was burned. 

By an act of the Legislature passed 
May 1, 1786, eighteen hundred pounds 
were appropriated for the erection of 
a court house at White Plains, and 
another at Bedford,, under the super- 
vision of Stephen Ward, Ebenezer 
Lockwood, Jonathan G. Tompkins, 
Ebene'^-er Purdy, Thomas Thomas, 
Richard Hatfield and Richard Sacket, 
Jr. 

Prisoners had been previously con- 
fined in the New York jail, and courts 
for a time had been held in the Pres- 
byterian Church at Bedford. An en- 
tirely new court house was erected in 
1856-1857, under the direction of the 
following committee, Abraham Hat- 
field, States Barton, Wm. Marshall, 
Daniel Hunt and George G. Finch, at 
a cost of one hundred and twenty 
thousand dollars. 

Under date of Oct. 6, 1772, being 
the first Tuesday in said month, the 
Supervisors of Westchester County 
met at the school house in Rye, near 
the church. No record appears as to 
who was chairman, but it is stated that 
"Robert Graham was chosen treasur- 
er and clerk. 

Then they adjourned, to meet at the 
court house in White Plains, pursuant 
to Act of the General Assembly of 
the Province of New York. 

Among those present were, Mejir 



Pere (Pierre) Van Cortlandt, for 
Manor of Cortlandt, and James Cronk- 
hyte for Ryk's Pattent. Adjournment 
was taken until the next day — Octo- 
ber 7. 

John Thomas, Esq., for attending 
upon the Assembly 78 days at 6s per 
day, was paid 23 pounds, 8 shillings 
The Manor of Cortlandt was charged 
with the same sum for a like numbe- 
of days attendance on the part of Mr 
fPhilip Van) Cortlandt. There were 
also added "13 shillings for collection 
omitted last year." 

Against the town of Yonkers ap- 
pears this entry: 

"Extra to Yonkers Warrant, 40s, 2d 
to be paid into the hands of Frederick 
Fowler for building a stocks and 
whipping post." Among the county 
charges allowed were those of Elezer 
Reed, Constable of Cortlandt Manor, 
for transporting of Mary Golden and 
her three children three times, and 
Nancy Boulten once, 3 pounds ten shil- 
lings To John Van Tassel, of Ryck's 
Patten for transporting Mary Golden 
and her three children twice, same as 
above. To Hendrick Lent, Constable 
of Ryck's Patten, for transporting of 
Nancy Bolten, and Mary Golden and 
her three children, 1 pound fifteen 
shillings. 

On Aug. 4. 1773, is found this entry: 
"Agreeable to the appointment of the 
Supervisors in the year 1772 in Octo- 
ber 6th, Wm. Barker, Wm. Sutton and 
Robert Graham, settled with Isaac 
Gedney, one of the Executors of John 
Townsend, late Treasurer of West- 
chester County, and found his estate 
indebted to said county 3 pounds 2 
shillings, and by the said Gedney paid 
it to Rob't Graham, present Treasurer. 

Major Van Cortlandt and James 
Cronkhite were present at this meet- 
ing. 

On Oct. 7, 1773, charges of Isaac 
Oakley, Jailor. For finding the Court 
with candles, ten shillings. 

For mending the dungin (Dungeon) 
ditto. 

On the 2d day of June, 1778, the 
board met at the house of John Fore- 
man in Bedford. At this meeting first 



24 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



appears the name of Joseph Strang, 
as supervisor of the Manor of Cort- 
landt. 

Adjournment was taken to the 16th 
owing to the absence of several su- 
pervisors. The next meeting was held 
Sept. 7, 1778. Adjourned to Jan. 5, 
1779, at which were present Judge 
Lockwood, Major Strang, Esquire 
Purdy, Major Lyon and Abijah Gilbert. 
The record reads: "Then proceeded 
to quota the several districts under 
written, with their proportion of shoes 
and stockings agreeable to an Act of 
the Legislature of this State, their sev- 
eral quotas as follows: 

Shoes. Stockings. 

Pound Ridge 6 7 

Salem 9 10 

North Castle 27 33 

Courtlandt Manor 39 48 

Bedford 23 27 

Then adjourned to the house of Cap- 
tain Samuel Haight on Cortlandt 
Manor, on the second Tuesday in Feb- 
ruary next. 

Something must have interfered 
with the foregoing appointment, for 
the record reads, "At a meeting of the 
Supervisors, &c, met at the house of 
John Foreman in Bedford, on the 10th 
day of February, 1779— Then pro- 
ceeded to examine the returns made 
by the Captains in the County, of 
Quakers in their several Districts that 
were proper to tax: 
Quakers in the Manor of 

Phillipsbourgh £ 660.00 

Pound Ridge 20.00 

Manor of Cortlandt 800.00 

North Castle 560.00 

Bedford 80.00 

Salem 100.00 



£2,220.00 



(Major Strang was not present at 
this meeting.) 

The next meeting of the board was 
held at the house of Benjamin Hayle, 
in Bedford, 18th day of March, 1779. 
A committee was appointed to super- 
intend and cause copies of the several 
Tax lists in the county to be made 
out — and then adjourned to Wednes- 
day, the 31st March instant, to meet 



at the house of John Woolsey in Bed- 
ford. 

Here are the lists: 

Bedford £7,819 3 

Manor of Cortlandt, 

West Ward 3,447 16 

Middle Ward 8,937 8 

East Ward 3,741 9 

North Castle 8,630 15 

Pound Ridge 2,099 2 

Salem 3,138 13 

Manor of Phillipsbourgh 2,401 12 

Rykers Pattent 226 12 

Dec. 6, 1779, the Supervisors met at 
the house of Joseph Benedict to ap- 
portion a State Tax of Two million 
five hundred thousand dollars as fol- 
lows: 

Manor of Courtlandt $13,125.00 

Ryck's Patent 100.00 

On the 22d day of March, 1780, there 
was another call for the sinews of 
war — and this time the Manor of Cort- 
landt was set down for $16,922.00 and 
Ryck's Patent for $140.00. 

Samuel Haight succeeded Major 
Strang as Supervisor from this Manor, 
his name first appears in the meeting 
of Monday, the 13th day of May, 1780. 
There was under consideration a call 
for $2,000,000 of State tax— Cortland 
Manor's share was $11,180.00. Major 
Joseph Strang succeeded Samuel 
Haight, the former is noted as being 
present at a meeting held in the Manor 
of Cortlandt on the 22d day of April, 
1783, at the house of Enoch Mead in 
said Manor. 

It is interesting to note, that when 
this board adjourned, it was until 
seven o'clock the next morning. But 
it is found that on the 9th day of May, 
1786, the l)oard adjourned to meet at 
six o'clock next morning. 

In the minutes of October 3, 1786, 
there is an allowance to John Thomas, 
of 4 pounds, for sending express to 
the several Constables of the County, 
to direct them to take the number of 
inhabitants. 

At a meeting held in Bedford May 
29, 1787, the following was passed: 
"The Supervisors order and direct 
the Treasurer of the said County to 
pay unto each and every of the above 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



said Supervisors attending, the sum of 
eight shillings towards their expenses 
while on business. 

October 3rd, 1787, appears the fol- 
lowing item: 

Extra to Cortlandt Manor to build 
a Bridge and blow a Rock at Peeks- 
kill, £52, 0, 3, arrearage. 

(The bridge here mentioned was 
probably on the site of the one span- 
ning Peekskill Hollow Creek, just 
south of the present pumping station. 
The hamlet in this vicinity, in revo- 
lutionary times, according to the maps 
of that day, was known as Peekskill.) 

The following towns are found rep- 
resented at the meeting in White 
Plains, May 6, 1788: Rye, Mamaro- 
neck. New Rochelle, Pelham, Eastches- 
ter, Westchester, Yonkers, Green- 
burgh, Scarsdale, White Plains, Har- 
rison, North Castle, Mount Pleasant, 
Stephen (town), Cortlandt, Yorktown, 
Bedford, Pound Ridge, North Salem, 
Salem. Philip Van Cortlandt repre- 
sented this town and Joseph Strang, 
Yorktown. 

In 1790 Pierre Van Courtlandt suc- 
ceeded Philip and Elijah Lee replaced 
Joseph Strang in Yorktown. Lee was 
superseded in 1792 by Ebenezer White. 

At a meeting of the Supervisors held 
October 4, 1796, Stephen Carpenter, of 
New Castle, Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr., 
of Cortlandt, John Roberts, of Yonk- 
ers, Abel Smith, of North Castle, and 
William Miller, of Bedford, were ap- 
pointed a committee to examine in and 
report on the accounts of the Treas- 
urer of this County respecting the 
monies directed to be appropriated, 
agreeable to the law for the encour- 
agement of schools. &c." This is the 
first mention of this interesting sub- 
ject noted. 

Under the proceedings of October 
8th, 1801, is the following: 

The Board agreed to allow to the 
persons for their services for taking 
the census in the County, three dollars 
for every hundred electors, and in the 
same proportion for a larger or less 
number. 

Under this ruling David Stanley Jun 



for taking the census in Cortlandt, 356 
names, $10.68. His nearest competi- 
tor was David Davids, of Mount Pleas- 
ant, who had 6 names less — the third 
in the list was David Miller in Bed- 
ford, with 303 names. The least was 
David L. Pell, of Pelham, with only 
30 names. 

At the meeting of the Board of Su- 
pervisors held October 27th, 1802, the 
amount of taxable property in the 
town of Cortlandt was: Real estate, 
$384,562.00; personal, $45,271.00. Total, 
$429,833.00. 

Yorktown real estate, $311,392.00; 
personal, $38,991.00. Total, $350,383.00. 

County, R. E. $5,274,114.00; personal, 
$773,753.00. Total, $6,047,867.00. 

That same year the number of 
Quakers returned in Cortlandtown: 
In Capt. John Lent's beat, 6. In Capt. 
Stephen Horton's beat, 1. Total,. 7. 
Amount of tax at $3 each, $21.00. 

On the same date sixteen Quakers 
were returned from Yorktown, taxed 
$48.00. The total number in the 
county, 162, realizing $486.00. 

In 1803 Joel Frost became Supervis- 
or of Cortlandt, but in 1804 Pierre 
Van Cortlandt, Jr., was chosen for 
that year. 

In 1807 Quakers refusing to do mili- 
tary duty were assessed $4.00 each. 

In 1812 Cortlandt sent John Jones 
to the county legislature. 

October 7th, 1813, Wm. Barker and 
Jonathan Purdy were appointed a 
committee to superintend the building 
of a criminal room for female prison- 
ers in the county jail at White Plains. 

Philip Van Cortlandt succeeded John 
Jones as Supervisor of Cortlandt in 
1816. Jonathan Ferris replaced Van 
Cortlandt the next year — 1817. 

In October, 1817, Isaac Denike, Jr., 
late constable from Cortlandt, was al- 
lowed as a County Charge $27.19. 
Pierre Briggs came in for $32.81 and 
Daniel Lent for $10.94. These were a 
trio of peace officers from this town. 

The Isaac Denike above noted was 
a veteran of the war of 1812, and for 
a number of years resided at Peeks- 
kill. His first wife was a Miss Pauld- 
ing, a sister of John, one of the Capt- 



26 



FROM 16U9 TO 1870. 



ors of Andre. For his second wife he 
married a daughter of the late Leon- 
ard Wood, wlio for many years occu- 
pied the place now of Dean Ferris on 
Maple avenue. He (Denike) one time 
was the master of a sailing vessel on 
the Hudson River, from which fact he 
acquired the title of "Captain." He 
was born in Putnam County October 
1, 1779. In the early sixties he was 
proprietor of the Franklin House, at 
the intersection of Highland and Hill- 
side avenues, this village. He later 
removed to Yonkers, where he passed 
away at the great age of more than 
one hundred years. 

In 1818 Philip Van Cortlandt dis- 
placed Jonathan Ferris, and Philip the 
following year made way for James 
Wilie (Wiley). Wiley represented the 
town for three years. The next incum- 
bent was Daniel Wm. Burtsell (Bird- 
sail). October 5, 1821, on this date, 
Isaac Denike, Jr., is allowed $5.00 for 
four days attendance at the May term 
of Court and $6.25 for 5 days service 
at the September term. Court officers 
fees per diem, were $1.25. It is nat- 
ural to suppose that the scramble for 
these petty perquisities were as eager 
then as it continued to be up to with- 
in a few years, since when these of- 
ficers came under civil service rules, 
with larger and more adequate pay. 

In 1822 the Board of Supervisors 
voted to allow themselves a fee of 4 
cents for recording taxables, an ad- 
vance of 33 1-3 per cent, and two dol- 
lars per day for services. 

In 1823 John W. Frost became Su- 
pervisor of Cortlandt. 

At the annual meeting the first 
Tuesday of October, 1823, the late Hon. 
Wm. Nelson, District Attorney, was 
allowed his bill as rendered, $191.50, 
and these three Constables from this 
town, Andrew Hanford, $23.40; Isaac 
Denike, $80.58, and Benjamin Levench, 
$71.25, were so paid. In October, 1824, 
is the following item: "Robt. Crum- 
ble, for publishing election returns of 
the county and notices of courts, $7.25. 
Mr. Crumble at that time was pub- 
lisher of the "Westchester Gazette," a 
paper that he established in Peeks- 



kill about 1809. 

In the table of equalization for 1824, 
the total assessed valuation of the 
real and personal estate of the town 
of Cortlandt had risen to $531,517.00. 
That of Yorktown was $513,532.00, and 
that of Yonkers, by way of comparison, 
was only $513,221.00. 

In 1825 District Attorney Nelson was 
paid for his year's services, $225.70. 

At the annual meeting of that year 
Daniel Lent, Marshal of Cortlandt, was 
allowed $33.75 for taking the census 
of the town. 

The sum of $3,300.00 "was voted to 
be raised for the current expenses of 
the county for the year. 

November 16, 1826, this resolution 
was adopted: That Wra. Barker, 
Abijah Hammond, Jeremiah Anderson, 
John Hoff, Wm. Jay, Wm. Nelson, and 
Hachaliah Bailey, be a committee to 
purchase land and a suitable site for 
the county poor house. 

It was also resolved: That the 
monies arising from tlie Quakers, be 
distributed in the county for contin- 
gencies. 

Tuesday, November 13, 1827, Ward 
B. Howard's name appears as the 
newly elected Supervisor from Cort- 
landt. On Nov. 16, $3,000.00 was voted 
toward the county Poor House. How- 
ard only served one year; he was suc- 
ceeded by John W. Frost, of Croton, 
of whom more will be written later. 
Nov. 12, 1828, there was allowed to the 
Judges for their attendance with the 
Board of Supervisors for 2 days each, 
3 judges, 6 days, $2. $12.00. 

Allowed to Wm. Nelson, District 
Attorney, for the years 1826, '27, '28, 
$493.78. 

Now in the hands of Mr. Nelson, 
$388.51. balance due him, $105.27. 

Nov. 14. Allowed to Benjamin Ward, 
Constable and Deputy Sheriff, for serv- 
ices, warrants on the persons who 
committed the outrage on Horace 
Terry, and for sundry other services, 
going to New York two times, $68.50. 
Judge Ward was for many years the 
genial clerk of the Eagle Hotel, when 
that well known hostelry was kept by 
that fine old gentleman. Col. John Wil- 
liams. 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



27 



Under date of Nov. 30, Jess Smith, 
committee, reports "that the average 
expense of boarding said paupers, (in 
the County Poor House), is $43-100 per 
week and that including clothing and 
medical attendance, is $54-100 per 
week. 

Just think of it, less than 8 cents 
a day. This was economy, drawn 
through the eye of a cambric needle. 
It was fortunate for Jess Smith that 
I he Society for the Prevention of 
Cruelty to Children had not then come 
into being. 

Isaac Coutant received for his 
services as Keeper of the County Poor 
House for one year, $300.00. 

In 1829 District Attorney Nelson's 
bill for services during the year was 
the modest sum of $107.65. 

The Board of Supervisors held an 
adjourned meeting at the Court House, 
White Plains, on 2d day of January, 
1830. It was resolved at this meeting, 
"That the location of the County 
Clerk's office be kept in the town of 
White Plains. This was adopted by 
a vote of 15 to 6. John W. Frost, Su- 
pervisor from Cortlandt, voted in the 
negative. The following important 
resolutions were adopted at this meet- 
ing: 

"Resolved, Whereas by a certain Act 
of the Legislature of the State of New 
York, it is declared that the Clerk's 
office of this County shall be kept at 
such place as shall be designated by 
the Supervisors of this county. There- 
fore, it is resolved by this Board that 
the Clerk's office of this county be kept 
at the town of White Plains in the 
County of Westchester, which this 
Board designates for that purpose. 

And whereas, this Board is informed 
that the necessary funds for erecting 
and com])leting a suitable fire proof 
building for a Clerk's office to be lo- 
cated in the said town of White Plains, 
are in a course of preparation, which 
funds are to be placed at the disi)osal 
of this Board for the above mentioned 
purpose. It is, therefore, resolved. 
That the said funds be accepted by this 
Board, and applied to the purpose 
aforesaid. 



As the same provisions were being 
made for providing and completing 
suitable apartments in the same build- 
ing with the Clerk's office, designated 
for the Surrogate's and Sheriff's of- 
fices, to be placed at the disposal of 
said Board, said funds were accepted 
and applied accordingly. 

It also was determined, That the 
said building for the Clerk's, Surro- 
gate's and Sheriff's offices, be erected 
in the vicinity of the Court House, in 
the said town of White Plains, on the 
county lands adjoining the said Court 
House. 

Wm. Barlier, the treasurer of this 
County, Jeremiah Anderson, a Super- 
visor, James Bathgate, Allen McDon- 
ald and Philemon Halsted, were ap- 
pointed a committee to supervise the 
erection of said building, and the 
treasurer was directed to apply the 
said funds as above directed (and no 
other) for the purpose aforesaid, and 
to account to the Board at its next 
meeting for the same. 

Tlie treasurer was instructed, "as 
soon as the said building shall be in 
his opinion prepared for the recep- 
tion of the Clerk, Surrogate and 
Sheriff, to cause written notice there- 
of to be immediately given to the said 
Clerk, Sheriff and Surrogate — and in 
the case of the two last named in the 
behalf of the Board to remove and 
keep their offices in the same. The 
treasurer was also directed to notify 
each Supervisor when the Clerk's of- 
fice is completed fit for the reception 
of said Clerk. 

The following appears to have been 
unanimously adopted: 

Resolved, That three days each be 
allowed to each Supervisor for attend- 
in? this meeting. The Board voted six 
dollars to Jno. B. Underbill, Clerk for 
his services. 

At the annual meeting November 8, 
1S30, John W. Frost, of this town, was 
made Chairman of the Committee oh 
Equalization. 

At this session Wm. Nelson, District 
Attorney, was allowed his bill as 
taxed by the Supreme Court Commis- 
sion, $194.74. Among other items al- 



28 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



lowed at this meeting of the Board is 
the bill of Thos. A. Whitney, one of 
the Constables from Cortlandt, $7.90. 
Also the following: Resolved that the 
Superintendent of the Poor House em- 
ploy a competent person as a school 
teacher, to teach the children in the 
Poor House, if they think it neces- 
sary. 

Nov. 14, 1831, we find John W. Frost 
at the post of duty. 
Wm. Nelson's bill for services, $173.01 
Ezra Marshall's bill as Over- 
seer of the Poor for one year 

in town of Cortlandt $19.00 

Thos. A. Whitney's bill as Con- 
stable services 3.50 

Nov. 15, 1832, Daniel W. Birdsall, 
and Daniel Haines were appointed 
Commissioners of Deeds for this town. 
Nov. 12, 1832, first appears the name 
of Joseph Strang as Supervisor from 
Cortlandt. 

Among the Coroner's accounts is 
found that of Isaac Smith, Inquest, a 
man found dead in the docks at Peeks- 
kill, $10.00. 

Nov. 16. Allowed to John C. (ollett) 
Roake, for making coffin, $2.50. 

To E. Gardner, digging grave for a 
drowned man found in Hudson River, 
$1.25. 

This was the cholera year. The 
county assumed the bills of the va- 
rious town Boards of Health In the 
county from the scourge. 

The sum allowed to Cortlandt was 
$265.68. The entire cost to the county 
from this cause was $1,414.43%. 

For making out the list of taxables 
the board voted a raise of 25 per cent., 
namely 5 cents for each name. The 
taxables in the town of Cortlandt num- 
bered at this time 435. 

The next annual meeting occurred 
Nov. 11, 1833. St. John Constant, son 
of the Rev. Silas Constant of York- 
town, was the Supervisor from this 
town. 

Among the first acts done by the 
new board at its first session, was the 
appointment of Alexander Fairlie of 
Peekskill, to be the county sealer of 
weights and measures. An item of 
interest to many, is this allowance. 



among the county bills passed, Wm. 
H. Briggs, Cortlandt, Justice of Spe- 
cial Sessions, $1.10. Supervisor Con- 
stant that year reported 450 taxables. 
Nov. 13, 1833, Jeremiah Anderson, 
Isaac Oakley and Wm. Barker, a com- 
mittee appointed by the Board of Su- 
pervisors at their annual meeting, to 
purchase land to enlarge the County 
Poor House Farm, report that they 
have purchased of Thomas Disbrow 
and Roger Knapp ninety-eight acres, 
3 roods and twenty-two perches of 
land, for which we gave $2,885.72, 
with interest from 16th day of March 
last, payable on IsL of February next. 

Nov. 10, 1834, first appears the name 
of Nicholas Cruger as Supervisor from 
Cortlandt. 

Nov. 11, 1834. Allowed to Wm. H. 
Briggs, Justice, April 27, 1834. To at- 
tending (in place of a Coroner) at an 
inquest on the body of Eli Conklin, a 
person drowned in the Hudson River, 
near Peekskill; no Coroner could be 
got, $7.50. 

Judge Briggs was also allowed an- 
other bill at the same sessions for 
services as Justice, $10.00. The fol- 
lowing resolution is presented to 
those jurymen of the present day, 
who are inclined to kick about the 
size of their fees — 

Resolved, That it is expedient to 
allow petit jurors a compensation for 
attending court: that such compensa- 
tion be one dollar per day, including 
fees received under the present sta- 
tute." Whatever fees a highly paid 
juror received were deducted from 
his per diem allowance. There was 
allowed at this session of the Super- 
visors to District Attorney William 
Nelson, for services, $302.39. 

In 1835 the Board of Supervisors 
met Monday, Nov. 9. At this session 
Robert Palmer, of White Plains, was 
appointed treasurer of this county in 
place of Wm. Barker, who had held 
that office for twenty-eight years. A 
unanimous vote of thanks was given 
Mr. Barker for his faithful perform- 
ance of the duties of his office during 
that period. 

District Attorney Nelson's bill for 
the past year was allowed at $498.85. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



29 



In 1836 the annual meeting of the 
Board of Supervisors was held Mon- 
day, Nov. 14th, with Daniel Carpenter 
representing the town of Cortlandt. 
It is interesting to note that the real 
estate this year was, for our town, set 
down at $505,801.00; the personal 
property was advanced to $264,121.00, 
a total for real and personal, of $769,- 
922.00, showing that the wealth of 
this section had notably increased in 
the last few years. 

Nov| 17th appears this interesting 
and now historic note: "Allowed to 
William Silkman, per order of the 
judges, for the said judges, for hearing 
the appeal of Wm. Silkman and John 
Hallock for a new railroad (New 
York & Harlem) in the town of Bed- 
ford, $36.50. 

This item appears in the next day's 
proceedings under Cortlandt. Allowed 
to Samuel S. Wood, Constable, $22.99. 
The Committee appointed to examine 
the sheep bills for damages done by 
dogs, made the following awards to 
the farmers named from this town: 

Gilbert Sherwood $30.00, Philip Van 
Cortlandt $86.00. Noah I. Underhill, 
$12.25, and Charles G. Teed, $7.50. At 
this session the Board advanced the 
rate for taxable s twenty per cent., viz., 
to six cents. As Mr. Carpenter had 
471 taxables his fees for these were 
$28.26. District Attorney Nelson's bill 
mounted this year to $569,081/2. 

In 1837 Nicholas Cruger again repre- 
sented this town at White Plains. The 
session began Monday, Nov| 13th. In 
the minutes cf Wednesday appears 
this entry: "Allowed to J. W. Husted, 
of Bedford, for repairs to the Court 
House at Bedford, $42.42; and in 
Thursday's minutes, "For the repairs 
and improvements in and about Bed- 
ford Court House, $500.00." 

N. S. Bates and J. W. Husted were 
named as a committee to have the 
work done and report the same. 

The J. W. Husted, named above, is 
the father of our late distinguished 
townsman, Gen. James W. Husted, and 
grandfather of the present Hon. James 
W. Husted. 

This year Samuel S. Wood drew for 
his services, $69.63. 



The rate for holding an inquest 
was this year raised to eight dollars. 
Micah W. Purdy, Coroner from Cort- 
landt, was paid for three inquisitions, 
$24.00. 

There was also allowed to Samuel 
.Marks, Justice of Cortlandt, for a case 
of infantum and examining witnesses, 
$7.50. 

In 1838 Mr. Cruger was again re- 
turned as Supervisor. One of the first 
acts of the new board at its opening 
session November 12th, was to appoint 
eight Commissioners of Deeds, among 
the number was Jeremiah Mabie, of 
Peekskill, for Cortlandt. 

Samuel S. Wood, who has arrived 
at the dignity of Deputy Sheriff, drew 
from the county $131.14. This year 
the rate for listing taxables was 
raised to seven cents. The number 
for Cortlandt is stated at 536. 

Monday, November 11, 1839, Nicholas 
Cruger again reported for duty at the 
County Seat. After electing Laurence 
Davenport chairman the Board ad- 
journed to the house of Mr. Lewis, 
inn-keeper, in White Plains, for the 
purpose of doing business. In the af- 
ternoon Daniel Haines and George P. 
Halsted were appointed Commission- 
ers of Deeds for Cortlandtown. 

Wm. Nelson, District Attorney, was 
allowed $284.33. 

There were allowed to these jus- 
tices from Cortlandt the following 
sums: 

Samuel Marks $27.65, Aaron Travis 
$10.75, Ben Ward $1.50. November 9, 
1840, the board met at the Court 
House, White Plains, and re-elected 
Lawrence Davenport, chairman. Af- 
ter which the body adjourned to the 
house of Isaac Ter Boss, inn-keeper. 
Mr. Cruger was again returned from 
this town. He was made chairman of 
the Committee on Justices and Con- 
stables. 

Among those allowed for "Poor 
Funeral Expenses" appears the name 
of Thomas Southard of Cortlandt. 

For the expenses of burying a poor 
person, coffin, &c., $3.00. 

(Mr. Southard, originally a cabinet 
maker, and at above date engaged in 
that business, later began the manu- 



30 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 

facture of stoves on the site of the turned a bill for holding 11 inquests, 

present Peoples' Stove Works on Main $82.50. 

street. The business proved a paying Among the bills allowed this year 
one. The discovery of gold in Cali- was one to the Highland Democrat, G. 
fornia and the exodus from the East K. Lyman (publisher), advertising 
to the New Eldorado, opened an ex- Election Notice, 12 weeks, $8.00. 
tensive and growing market for Mr. (Mr. Lyman a few years later re- 
Southard's stoves, which he promptly moved to Newtown, L. I., where he 
took advantage of.) published a weekly paper called the 
Allowed to Wm. Nelson, District At- "Safeguard." He was the proprietor 
torney, $400.45. of this sheet for many years. He later 

This year the list of taxables had removed to Glens Falls, N. Y.) 
risen to 677, and the rate for entering Among the Supervisors retired in 
was 7 cents. 1843 T;vas Andrew Findlay, of West- 
Nov. 9, 1841, Henry W. Depew ap- Chester. Mr. Findlay was a surveyor, 
peared as Supervisor for Cortlandt. and large property owner in that town. 
Mr. Davenport was re-elected chair- He drew a large number of kaps of 
man. The board as before adjourned properties sold in his and adjoining 
to the house of Isaac Terboss (inn towns. These maps are frequently 
keeper. Supervisor Depew was named referred to in the conveyances of that 
the third member of the "Committee period recorded in the various Libers 
on Damages done to Sheep by Dogs." of the county in the clerk's and Reg- 
Samuel S. Wood, Deputy Sheriff ister's offices at White Plains.) 
from Cortlandt town, was allowed for 'Sov. 11, 1844, Monday. The new 
year's service, $176.45. Board began its annual session at the 
Geo. P. Halsted, Constable, was court House at White Plains, and 
satisfied with $9.25. elected Benjamin M. Brown, of Mam- 
Tillinghast Bennett was satisfied aroneck, its chairman, and John B. 
with $6.00. Underhill was re-appointed clerk. 
Nov. 14, 1842, "Richard is himself The Board then adjourned to the house 
again," and Nicholas Cruger, once of James Crawford, for the tranasc- 
more represents his town in the tion of further business. Elias Q. 
County Legislature. Laurence Daven- Tompkins, grandfather of our present 
port is named as Chairman, and this Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Arthur 
having been done, further business is S. Tompkins, represented Yorktown at 
to be transacted at the old stand of this session. 

Isaac Terboss. Supervisor Cruger ^r. Nelson, District Attorney, was 

was made Chairman of the Equaliza- allowed for his year's services, $302.19. 

tion Committee. Among the bills presented by the town 

This year Deputy Sheriff Sam'l S. officers of Cortlandt of claims allowed 

Wood's bill to the County is allowed for services, county charges were: 

at $151.00. Geo. Starr, constable, for wagon 

Allowed to Jeremiah Mabie, Coro- hire to carry men to assist to arrest 

ner, for holding of inquisitions, $52.50. a man $3.00 

To Philip Clapp, Justice, $11.81. Isaac Hadden, constable 100.00 

To Elijah Gardner, Constable, $16.00. Philip Clapp, justice 12.50 

The Supervisors voted to raise for Elijah Gardner, constable 17.76 

the Clothing of Hugh Shannon, son of Qn the last day of the session the 

Mrs. Mary Shannon of Peekskill, a following resolution was unanimously 

deaf mute, sum per year of $20.00. adopted: "That the Board of Super- 

Nov. 13, 1843, Wm. Boyce, of Peeks- visors will require all claims hereafter 

kill, was returned as Supervisor, Rich- presented against the County of West- 

ard Palmer, of Scarsdale, became Chester for payment, to be made up in 

Chairman, Mr. Davenport having fail- detail, stating as near as may be, all 

ed of election. Jeremiah Mabie re- the services rendered for which any 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



31 



charge is made, item by item, and that 
the same be accompanied by satisfac- 
tory vouchers, or an affidavit of the 
claimant, that the claim is justly due, 
and that the services charged there- 
in have been actually and necessarily 
rendered." 

. On Sept. 27, 1844, the Hon. Wm. Nel- 
son, after an honorable service of over 
twenty-two years, was succeeded by 
the Hon. Richard R. Voris. (The lat- 
ter in June, 1847, was succeeded by 
Wm. W. Scrugham, of Yonkers.) 

Monday, Nov. 10, 1845, the Board of 
Supervisors met in annual session in 
the Court House at White Plains. The 
late Gilbert B. Hart, father of our es- 
teemed townsman, Coleridge A. Hart, 
and of Dr. James A. Hart, a sojourner 
at Colorado Springs, Col., represented 
Cortlandt. This time the Board broke 
the custom which had prevailed for 
several years previously of adjourning 
to a public house in that village, and 
transacted its business in the Court 
House. At the third day's session 
George P. Halsted, of Cortlandt, was 
appointed one of the Superintendents 
of the Poor of the County for one year. 
It was also at this session of the Su- 
pervisors that the matter of straight- 
ening and widening the Crompond 
road along and over the lands of the 
late Tyler Fountain, James Brown, 
Alexander Trowbridge and Haines 
Charlock was adjusted. Tyler Foun- 
tain's damages were assessed and con- 
firmed at $425.00 

James Brown, do 600.00 

Alexander Trowbridge, do 700.00 

Haines Charlock, do 506.25 

The name of the late Dr. Ephraim 
D. Fuller appears in the records of 
this session as Town Superintendent 
of Common Schools. 

The bill of Wm. H. Briggs, 

sheriff, w^as allowed $303.50 

This year Wm. Richards, print- 
er, Peekskill, claimed for ad- 
vertising $30.25; paid 27.25 

G. K. Lyman, do. do, $79.80, 

paid 67.05 

(It was fashionable then, as now, to 
cut the printer on the slightest ex- 
cuse.) 



The marshals who took the state 
census for the town of Cortlandt in 
1845 were as hereinafter noted, and 
received for their services the sums 
set opposite their respective names: 

Judson H. Gilbert $42.00 

Aaron Travis 52.00 

Timothy S. Olmsted 40.00 

The amount of town, county and 
state tax apportioned to Westchester 
County was $51,046.99. 

For the town of Cortlandt, $4,322.50. 
The rate for Cortlandt that year 
was $6.24. 

1846. This year the Supervisors 
convened in annual session Monday, 
Nov. 9th, whereupon Wm. W. Scrug- 
ham, of Yonkers, was chosen chair- 
man. Capt. James B. Travis repre- 
sented Cortlandt. Two would be 
members responded when the town of 
Westchester was called, namely, An- 
drew Findlay, and Israel H. Watson. 
It appeared that the town of Westches- 
ter by an act of the Legislature had 
been divided, and a new town to be 
known as West Farms, created. Ow- 
ing to an informality in the election 
in the new town, Mr. Findlay was by 
vote of the Board received as "Super- 
visor of the old town of Westchester 
to act in behalf of the present towns 
of Westchester and West Farms. A 
special meeting was held on Tuesday, 
Jan. 5, 1847. The business was the 
setting off the towns of the county into 
two Assembly Districts. The plan 
eventually adopted was as follows: 
District No. 1, Bedford, Cortlandt, 
Lewisboro, New Castle, North Salem. 
Ossining, Poundridge, Somers, and 
Yorktown. District No. 2, Eastchester, 
Greenburgh, Harrison, Mount Pleas- 
ant, Mamaroneck, North Castle, New 
Rochelle, Pelham, Rye, Scarsdale, 
Westchester and West Farms, White 
Plains, Yonkers. 

On motion of Supervisor Lewis C. 
Piatt, of White Plains, father of our 
present learned County Judge, Hon. 
Wm. Popham Piatt, it was voted to 
allow the late Sheriff Wm. H. Briggs, 
one hundred dollars, above the amount 
of his bill allowed at the last session 
of this Board, there having been a 



32 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



mistake in the adding up of that bill 
of that amount. 

May 25, 1847, another special meet- 
ing was held. At this the office of 
County Judge and Surrogate, which up 
to this time had been merged in one 
person — was divided, and the salary 
was fixed at $1,500 a year for each. 

The regular annual session was held 
Nov. 8th. Capt. Travis represented 
Cortlandt and W. W. Scrugham was 
made chairman. At this meeting a 
special committee was appointed on 
rules to govern the body. They pre- 
sented a set of rules which were 
adopted the next day when 250 copies 
of the same were ordered to be 
printed. 

At this meeting the Supervisors re- 
quested the members of Assembly 
from this county to introduce a bill in 
the State Legislature to make the of- 
fice of District Attorney a salaried one. 

The representatives at Albany lost 
no time in introducing such a meas- 
ure, for in the minutes on Nov. 16th 
is found the following: 

Resolved, That whereas the Legisla- 
ture of this state has passed a law 
making the office of District Attorney 
a salaried office; and whereas, it will 
be the duty of this Board to establish 
such salary; it is therefore required 
by this body that the County Clerk be 
directed to make out for the use of 
this Board, a statement of all forfei- 
tures, recognizances, fines and penal- 
ties, forfeited, levied or imposed in this 
county during the last seven years. 

November 18. Supervisor James B. 
Travis presented a certificate of as- 
sessment of damages by the reason of 
a laying out of a new road in tthe 
town of Cortlandt, through the lands 
of James Brown, George P. Halsted, 
Robert Denike, Abijah King, Jonathan 
Hart, David Todd, Mary Tannatt, Jere- 
miah Deuel, Haines Charlock, Jacob 
Strang and Abraham Reynolds, 
amounting to the sum of twelve hun- 
dred and twenty-three dallors, and 
moved that the sum mentioned there- 
in be raised in the town of Cortlandt, 
which was carried. 

This was for straightening certain 



parts of the Crond pond road from a 
point about two miles east of the vil- 
lage line and terminating near the en- 
trance to the farm of the late Abra- 
ham B. Reynolds, which place is now 
owned by John M. Dyckman. On the 
same date, in the evening, two bills 
of the late Wm. Richards for printing, 
amount allowed, $102.86, a cut of $1.54. 
By this time the assessed valuation of 
the town had advanced greatly. Thus 
real estate, $676,588.00; personal, 
$333,505.00; total, $1,010,093.00, an 
amount only exceeded by West Farms, 
$1,193,920.00. 

1848. The annual meeting occurred 
on Monday, Nov. 13th, with that sub- 
stantial gentleman, Isaac Seymour, as 
Supervisor from this town. Andrew 
Findlay was chosen chairman, and 
Robt. H. Coles was re-elected clerk. 
Mr. Seymour was appointed chairman 
of the committee, "on Sheriff and 
Jailer." 

A mandamus in favor of Tyler Foun- 
tain and others against the Board of 
Supervisors of this County, and the 
opinion and decision of the Supreme 
Court thereon read. Mr. Seymour 
moved that an appeal from the de- 
cision be taken to the Court of Ap- 
peals, and that a committee of three 
consisting of the supervisors of the 
towns of Yorktown, Somers and Cort- 
landt, be appointed to wait upon Tyler 
Fountain, Jacob McKeel, Alexander 
Trowbridge, Reuben R. Finch and 
James Brown, and solicit a com- 
promise of said matter with them. 
These propositions were divided and 
unanimoiisly carried. 

A communication was received at 
this session of the board from State 
Comptroller Millard Fillmore, relative 
to a state tax of one-half mill on the 
dollar, required to be raised by this 
county and paid into the State Treas- 
ury. 

This is interesting chiefly from the 
fact that Mr. Fillmore was a few 
years later elected vice-president and 
became president of the United States 
through the death of Genl. Zachury 
Taylor. 

Nov. 21, 1848, on motion of Super- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 33 

visor Benjamin D. Miller, of Yorktown, the county for county expenses, and 

Geo. P. Halsted, of Cortlandt, was ap- that the County Treasurer apportion 

pointed one of the five inspectors of the sum of $5,206.28 among the sev- 

turnpikes in the county. eral towns, respectively. 

The salary of the District Attorney After passing a resolution: "That 

was fixed by the Board at $1,000.00 per the Clerk of the County be and he is 

annum. hereby authorized to make such re- 

1849, November 12th, Mead Barmore pairs to the clerk's office as are neces- 
appeared on this date at White Plains sary to preserve the books and build- 
to represent this now important and ing from decay," the Board adjourned 
wealthy town in the County Legisla- sine die. 

ture. Andrew Findlay was re-elected Nov. 11, 1850. The Board met in 

chairman, and Robert H. Coles, clerk. annual session this date, and chose 

Among the bills allowed at this ses- Daniel Hunt, of Lewisboro, chairman, 

sion as county charges were those of and Daniel K. Sherwood, clerk. 

Leonard Smith, constable $13.95 Thomas A. Whitney, of Peekskill, 

Smith Billings, do 26.93 took his seat as Supervisor from Cort- 

Smith BilHngs kept a ' saloon on '^"dt. At this session the pay of 

Main street, Peekskill. ^rand jurors was fixed at one dollar 

The laying out of that part of the l^^^' ^^V' ^""^ .t^ree cents a mile going 

Crompond road through the property ^o and returning from Court. The pay 

of Tyler Fountain and others, of which °f P^^it jurors was fixed at the same 

note has heretofore been made, ^-ate-in addition to the fees in civil 

amounted, through litigation and other ^^^e^' ^^d the same mileage as the 

causes, to the sum of $3,115.00, besides ^''^"'^ jurors. 

costs. By the negotiations of the com- The salary of the District Attorney 

mittee appointed to effect a com- was fixed this year at $800.00, a reduc- 

promise, agreement was made and tion of $200 from the previous year, 

stipulations entered into whereby fur- The following claims against the 

ther litigation was avoided by the pay- county by residents of Cortlandt were 

ment of $1,943.92. allowed: 

1849 was another cholera year. Samuel W. Kurd, Coroner $60.00 

The town bill of the Board of Health Dr. Fenelon Hasbrouck, post 

was $367.95. The town bill of the mortem 5.00 

Board of Health was $278.67. Dr. Solomon Clason, attending 

James O. Towner, Wm. Denike, and Coroner's inquests 8.00 

several other prominent citizens of the Dr. Wm. G. Hopkins, attending 

village and town were swept off by Coroner's inquests 2.00 

this scourge. At this session the Dr. C. P. Leggett, attending 

Peekskill Republican was designated Coroner's inquests 2.00 

to print the Session Laws. Philetus Sloat, going for Coroner 2.00 

A special meeting of the Board of The board at this session petitioned 

Supervisors was held Jan. 16, 1850, for the State Legislature "to pass and 

the purpose of inserting in the annual enact a Lien Law applicable to the 

tax levy the sum of $5,206.28 for the County of Westchester for the protec- 

support of the common schools, in tion of laborers, mechanics, and ma- 

ccmpliance with a law which came terial men, with provisions similar to 

into effect since the last annual ses- a draft as herewith prescribed." 

sion of the Board of Supervisors, said 1851. November 10, Wm. Bleakley, 

sum to be apportioned among the sev- of Verplancks, and afterward Sheriff 

eral towns and cities of this county, of this country, took his place in the 

as by said act directed. Board of Supervisors, John B. Has- 

The County Treasurer was author- kins, of West Farms, and afterwards 

ized to borrow a sum of money, not a representative in Congress from 

exceeding $3,500.00, on the credit of this district, was chosen chairman, 



34 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



and Abraham Hyatt, of Ossining, was 
made clerk. The latter was nomi- 
nated by Francis Larkin, who for 
many years was the leader of the 
Westchester Co. Bar. The corrected 
assessed valuation of the town of 
Cortlandt, in equalization of this year, 
is, real estate, $2,300,300.00; personal, 
$431,550.00, making a grand total of 
$2,731,850.00. 

November 8, 1852. It seems that 
this year Mr. Bleakley's business in- 
terests precluded him from again rep- 
resenting his town, but it is reasonable 
to suppose that his neighbor, Mr. 
Enoch Orne, who succeeded him, was 
personally acceptable to him. 

Mr. Orne was a well known builder, 
of Verplanck, and a man of integrity 
and moral worth. Mr. Crane had the 
honor of having for a fellow member 
the Hon. Wm. H. Robertson, later 
county judge, and representative in 
Congress, and one of the most popular 
and shrewdest politicians this county 
ever produced. Mr. Robert H. Coles 
was made the chairman, and Abraham 
Hyatt re-elected clerk. 

The town's quota of grand jurors 
was placed at 29 at this session. 

1853. Nov. 14, Ward B. Howard 
came to the front and assumed again 
the seat vacated some years before. 
Strange to say, there was no opposi- 
tion to the re-election of Mr. Coles 
as chairman. Thomas W. Smith suc- 
ceeded the versatile Abraham Hyatt 
as clerk. Mr. Howard was assigned 
to his former committee, justices, as 
chairman. 

At this session the board was noti- 
fied by State Superintendent of 
Schools Henry S. Randall that the 
amount to be raised for the support 
of common schools in Westchester 
County was $22,252.88. No remarks 
appear in the record, but it is reason- 
able to suppose that some of the rep- 
resentatives from the smaller towns 
sighed audibly when the announce- 
ment was made: 

Tlie Grand Jury Wakes Up. 

This item from the minutes of No- 
vember 18th is of interest: 

Mr. Lyon asked leave, which was 



granted, to present this from the Feb- 
ruary Grand Jury, "That the Sheriff 
of this county be requested to apply 
to the Board of Supervisors at their 
next session, for an appropriation to 
supply the Grand Juror's room with 
mere comfortable chairs or seats — and 
with suitable hooks or shelves for 
coats and hats." This communication 
was referred to the Committee on 
Sheriffs, &c. 

The salary of the District Attorney 
was fixed at $1,200. Our late esteemed 
townsman, the Hon. Edward Wells, 
was at this time the incumbent. 

A bridge, known as the Wire fac- 
tory or Bailey's Bridge, over the Cro- 
ton, was washed away by a freshet on 
Apr. loth last. A sum not to exceed 
twelve hundred and fifty dollars was 
appropriated to defray the cost of re- 
placing same. 

The practice of the Board of Su- 
pervisors heretofore having been 
against allowing anything to their sal- 
aried officers for clerk hire at this 
session ran up against a snag. This 
was a decision of the Superior Court 
of the City of New York, "that sal- 
aried officers w^re not required to de- 
fray expenses for clerk hire out of 
their salaries. By virtue of this de- 
cision the county had to pay to Lewis 
C. Piatt, Surrogate, $1,002.12, which 
sum Mr. Piatt had personally paid to 
his clerks. 

1854. Monday, November 13. It was 
found on call of the roll, that four 
members of the board were absent at 
this first meeting of the annual ses- 
sion. Among the absentees was Caleb 
L. Ferris, of Cortlandtown. The Hon. 
Robert Cochran, of White Plains, was 
appointed temporary chairman. The 
choice of the majority for permanent 
chairman resulted in the selection of 
Joseph T. Carpenter, of New Castle, 
and Hiram P. Rowell, of White 
Plains as clerk, after which the regu- 
lar business of the session was taken 
up. 

A petition was presented through 
Supervisor Ferris by Mr. Frost Hor- 
ton and other inhabitants of Cortlandt 
and Yorktown against shooting fish in 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



35 



Lake Mohegan, which was referred to 
the committee on judiciary. 

Mr. Ferris also presented an appli- 
cation from the overseers of the poor 
of the town of Cortlandt, that the sum 
of fifteen hundred dollars be raised 
for the support of the poor, in said 
town. Granted. 

He also presented the application of 
the Commissioners of Highways of the 
town of Cortlandt for authority to 
raise the sum of $900.00 for debts now 
standing unpaid, which was referred 
to a special committee. 

The town of Cortlandt was called 
upon to meet considerable expense on 
account of the Asiatic cholera, which 
prevailed the previous summer. 

Dr. Dunning's bill for services was 
$43.50. 

Dr. Snowden's bill for services was 
$41.50. 

R. R. Jordan, for services as under- 
taker, $75.00. 

Among the important business trans- 
acted at this session was the appro- 
priation of $200.00 to rebuild a bridge 
on the site of the old Quaker bridge, 
in the town of Cortlandt by a unani- 
mous vote. 

Among the audited town accounts 
for 1854 is that of Wm. H. Russell, 
town clerk, $30.00. 

Sylvester W. Mandeville, room for 
election, $5.00. 

To Nehemiah S. .Jacobs, Frances P. 
Clark, Samuel Hyatt Mabee and Chas. 
Coleman, inspectors of election, per 
day, $3.00. 

Marcus Abbott, inspector of elec- 
tion and carrying returns, $4.25. 

At the state election held November 
7, 1854, the following is the vote for 
governor in the town of Cortlandt: 

Horatio Seymour 280 

:Myron H. Clark 210 

Greene C. Bronson 23 

Daniel Ullmann 572 

In the state at large Myron H. Clark 
was elected by a small plurality over 
Horatio Seymour. 

1855. November 12, 1855. The su- 
pervisors were called to order by the 
late Clerk Hiram P. Rowell, and Ab- 



raham Hatfield was selected temporary 
chairman. 

For permanent chairman there were 
two candidates, Abraham Hatfield, of 
Westchester, and Daniel Hunt, of Lew- 
isboro, nominated. Frost Horton, the 
newly elected supervisor from Cort- 
landt, and John J. Clapp, of "White 
Plains, acted as tellers. 

The first ballot resulted as follows: 

For Daniel Hunt 11 

For Abraham Hatfield 10 

For Blank 1 

The chair decided Mr. Hunt elected. 
This was objected to on the ground 
that the blank ballot should have been 
counted as a full vote. A motion by 
Supervisor John J. Clapp "that Daniel 
Hunt, of Lewisboro, be, and he is, truly 
elected permanent chairman of the 
board for the ensuing year, was car- 
ried by a vote of 12 for, against. 8. 
Hiram P. Rowell was thereupon re- 
elected clerk. 

On the following Thursday, on mo- 
tion of Supervisor Horton, Justice Da- 
vid K. Conklin was appointed Turn- 
pike Inspector in and for the county 
of V/estchester. 

In this year a state census was tak- 
en. The marshals named below for 
Cortlandt were paid: 

John H. Goetschins $116.00 

James H. Hutchins 69.50 

John L. Wilson 85.50 

The bill of David W. Travis. Police 
Justice of the village of Peekskill, was 
presented by Supervisor Frost Hor- 
ton. The office carried a salary of 
$500.00 per annum. He had collected 
fines and costs to the amount of $55.47. 
His county charges amounted to 
$12.88, and town to $111.17, according 
to the report of the majority of the 
committee, the proportion of the 
amount to be assessed against the 
county as part of the county expenses, 
was $51.92, and to the town of Cort- 
landt, $448.08, as there was a balance 
of $55.47 for fines and costs, the min- 
ority of the committee recommended 
that the assessment against the town 
of Cortlandt be but $431.65. 



36 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 

The salary of the town clerk, Fran- the whole number for the county was 

cis P. Clark, $50.00. 300. 

Frost Horton, services as constable, Among the Inspectors of Election 

$5.00. that year is found the name of Chaun- 

The most prominent citizens in those cey M. Depew, claimed and allowed, 
days considered it their duty to serve ?4.00. (District No. 1.) He had for as- 
in whatever official capacity they were sociates Francis P. Clark, David Pugs- 
elected to ^^y ^^^ Samuel J. Jacobus. The 

A special session of the Board of ^^^^^^ °«^^^''^ t'°^ ^^^^ ^'^' ^^^^ = 

Supervisors was held June 3, 1856. Daniel H. Little, Sheriff. 

Frost Horton represented Cortlandt. John P. Jenkins, County Clerk. 

This meeting was called for the pur- Wm. H. Robertson, County Judge, 

pose of electing a school commissioner Robert H. Coles, Surrogate, 

for each of the assembly districts in Wm. H. Pemberton, District Attor- 

this county. Alexander G. Reynolds '^^y- 

was chosen from this district. The Henry Willetts, Treasurer, 

late James A. Whitbeck, of this town, 1858. The annual session began this 

received two votes for that honor. year, Monday, November 8. Frost Hor- 

The annual session began Novem- ton. Supervisor from Cortlandt. Mr. 

ber 10, 1856. The corrected Table of Horton was made chairman. 

Equalization of Assessments gives the Mr. Horton on assuming the chair 

real estate in Cortlandt, $2,503,700; thanked the members of the board for 

personal, $514,000. Total, $3,017,700, the honor conferred upon him in ap- 

being excelled only by Greenburgh and propriate terms, and assured them that 

Yonkers. he should rely confidently upon their 

Among the county accounts this ses- co-operation and assistance, in dis- 

sion is one in favor of Dr. Benj. Bas- charging the duties of the position to 

sett, view of body of infant, $2.00; Dr. which their partiality had called him. 

Thos. Snowden, post mortem, $16.00. At this session the pay of Grand 

The bills for use of room at election and Petit Jurors was placed at $1.50 

were raised to $10.00. The pay of in- I^er diem. 

spectors of election was continued at In 1859 the annual session began on 

$3.00. Monday, November 14, with Owen T. 

The general election in 1856 was Coffin, of Peekskill, representing Cort- 

held Tuesday, November 4. landt, Edmund G. Sutherland being 

This is the vote in Cortlandttown for chosen clerk, and Alsop H. Lockwood, 

president, according to the official can- chairman, Mr. Coffin being assigned as 

vass: chairman of the judiciary committee. 

James Buchanan, (Dem ) . 444 At this session Sheriff Wm. Bleakley, 

John C. Fremont, (Rep.) 400 ^'^ l^'-^^f^ted the board with 118 

liound volumes, as a nucleus for a law 

Ml lard Fillmore, American, library, which were accepted with the 

(Know Nothing) 512 shanks of the body. 

The electoral vote in the Union was A janitor was also appointed for the 

foi'" county building in White Plains at a 

James Buchanan 180 salary of two hundred and fifty dollars 

j.^ n T7I v„ <. <^„ per year, payable monthly. Henry 

John C. Fremont 108 ^ j, -^.j r,--* 

-^"^ Ford was appointed as such, janitor. 

Millard Fillmore 8 mi. j ^ 4.- t r< ^■^ .^+ 

° The assessed valuation of Cortlandt 

The 35 electoral votes of this state for that yea- w.-ns as foMows: Rea-, 

were cast for Fremont. $2,635,000; personal, $527,350; total, 

The number of Grand Jurors for $3,162,350. The following is a copy of 

the town of Cortlandt, according to the the returns of the justices of the peace 

last census, was apportioned at 32; from the town of Cortlandt: 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



37 



No. of Fines 
Cases. Received. 

Geo. W. Lounsbury. ... 13 No return 

Tas. A. Whitbeck 7 60.00 

Wm. A. Hunt 10 40.87 

Tlios. A. Whitney S 27.00 

In 1860 the Board of Supervisors 
convened in annual session on Monday, 
November 12. 

The Hon. Frost Horton again rep- 
resented Cortlandt and was appointed 
on the equalization committee and 
also on the committee of roads and 
bridges. In the county bills for this 
year appears the bill of John Sloats, 
keeper of lock-up, in Peekskill, $497.75. 
In the annual report of the Commis- 
sioners of Excise of the county, the 
following persons were granted a 
hotel license in the town of Cortlandt: 
Isaac Gerow, John Williams, Morrison 
E. Lyon, Nelson M. Dunham, James 
Denike, John Butlar, Anton Schnapp, 
John Byxbee, Patrick McEntee, Ed- 
ward Secor, John Duffy and Nicholas 
Drennan. 

Grocers' license to I. & R. A. De- 
pew, S. J. Jacobus, Wm. H. Russell, 
S. M. Dyckman, Oscar V. Crane, James 
Reel, Jesse Hunt, Joseph A. Apgar, 
Mandeville & Emerson and Seth H. 
Mead. 

The whole number of licenses grant- 
ed in the county was 194, and the 
whole sum of money received from 
the persons licensed five thousand 
eight hundred and twenty dollars 
($5,820.00), of which three dollars 
were counterfeit. 
(Signed) 

SILAS D. GTFFORD, 
JAMES WILLIAMSON, 
Commissioners of Excise. 

Among the Notaries Public from the 
town of Cortlandt are found: Dorlin 
F. Clapp, James W. Husted and D. 
Wiley Travis, of Peekskill, and Cyrus 
Frost, of Croton. At the general elec- 
tion held November 6, 1860, Wm. Kelly 
for Governor received in the county 
7,210. 

Edwin D. Morgan received 6,766. 



Costs Amount 

and paid paid 

Fees. Co. Treas. Const'b'ls. 



7.00 


No return 




Cred't'd town 


13.00 


" 


7.00 


" 


21.20 


" 


9.00 


" 


8.00 


" 


9.r,o 


" 



Morgan was the successful candi- 
date. 

The war for the Union had been 
raging for seven months, when the 
session of 1861 began on Monday, No- 
vember 11. That sturdy war Demo- 
crat, CofRn S. Brown, was sent to the 
county seat to represent this now im- 
portant and wealthy town, and well 
did he perform the task. 

Mr. Brown was made chairman of 
the committee on school and excise 
commission. This was a unique com- 
bination. 

On November 20 Supervisor Valen- 
tine, of Yonkers, presented five sev- 
eral petitions of inhabitants of that 
town, asking that money be raised by 
tax on the County of Westchester for 
the support of the families of volun- 
teers, which were referred to a com- 
mittee of six having the subject in 
charge. On December 2, following 
this committee made its report. The 
committee could find no law permit- 
ting such a procedure in the statute 
books, "But, believing that Westches- 
ter County, ranking as it does, the 
fourth county in the Empire State, in 
point of wealth, should respond to the 
calls of our common country in this 
its hour of peril, and contribute not 
only its physical but pecuniary means 
tO restore this once happy land to its 
former unity and prosperity, recom- 
mend that the Board of Supervisors 
of this county respectfully and ur- 
gently request our Senator and mem- 
bers of Assembly, representing this 
county, to procure the passage of An 
Act by the Legislature of this state 
embodying the following provisions: 

First — Authorizing the county treas- 
urer of Westchester County to issue 
l)onds upon the credit of the county 
of one hundred to one thousand dol- 
lars each., bearing interest at the rate 



38 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



of seven per cent, per annum, to the 
amount of fifty thousand dollars, to 
be paid by annual appropriations of 
ten thousand dollars, with the interest 
on the same, annually. 

There were seven others detailing 
the method of procedure in advertis- 
ing for bids, distribution of same, des- 
ignating to whom applications for re- 
lief should be made, the giving of 
bonds for faithful performance, and 
finally, the service required to be per- 
formed under said act, including the 
county treasurer, to be gratuitous, ex- 
cept for necessary disbursements to 
be audited by this board. 

Signed by the following Supervis- 
ors: 

P. L. McClelan, East Chester; Coffin 
S. Brown, Cortlandt; Albert Badeau, 
New Rochelle; Samuel Hopper, Harri- 
son; Wm. Cauldwell, Morrissania, and 
John B. Tompkins, Yorktown. 

The resolution to carry the recom- 
mendation of the committee into effect, 
as to the amount authorized to be 
raised was adopted affirmatively, but 
the amount in the first provision was 
reduced from fifty thousand to thirty 
thousand dollars. 

This year the bills of Wm. Bleakley, 
Jr., sheriff, were allowed, at $7,777.84. 

The vote for Member of Assembly 
November 5, 1861, in this 2d Assembly 
District — 

Chauncey M. Depew 2,160 

Samuel Bennett 1,583 



Depew's majority 577 

That fall James W. Husted was the 
candidate on the Republican ticket for 
county clerk, but was defeated by Hi- 
ram P. Rowel, Democrat. 

In the spring of 1862 Mr. Brown was 
re-elected Supervisor of Cortlandt and 
was assigned on his former commit- 
tee, at the annual session of the Board 
of Supervisors, held Monday, Nov. 10. 
Henry Willetts, county treasurer, re- 
signed under fire, and Gilbert S. Lyon 
was, by the board, appointed his suc- 
cessor. 

Among the audited town bills from 
Cortlandt appear the following — as 



registrars and inspectors of election, 
with the sums allowed for their serv- 
ices as such officers: 

Robert S. Armstrong $15.00 

Henry A. Wells 15.00 

Milton Frost 12.00 

N. S. Jacobs, clerk 6.00 

Also the following town officers: 
Geo. F. Pierce, commissioner of 

highways 115.50 

Wm. E. Borden, overseer of 

poor 94.50 

Isaac Mosher, overseer of poor 71.00 
Hachaliah B. Strang, town clerk 76.50 
Wm. A. Hunt, justice of the 

peace 118.70 

A special meeting of the board was 
called for Thursday, July 23, 1863, "for 
the purpose of considering the en- 
forcement of the Conscription Act in 
this county and adopting measures to 
relieve the people from the most ob- 
noxious provisions of that act, or to 
transact such other business as may 
be brought before the board. The 
board met and organized by choosing 
Wm. Cauldwell chairman. After back- 
ing and filling and the introduction of 
a resolution for the county treasurer 
to raise on the credit of the county 
the sum of $270,000, which failed of 
passage, the board adjourned sine die. 

1863. Monday, November 9. Board 
met in annual session. Coffin S. Brown 
once more representing Cortlandt. 
Edmund G. Sutherland was chosen 
chairman and J. Malcolm Smith, clerk. 

The sum of $1,342.61 was ordered 
levied on the county to pay John T. 
Briggs and others for property de- 
stroyed by rioters in the town of 
Westchester on the night of July 14, 
1863. 

On December 2, 1863, Mr. Coffin S. 
Brown, chairman of the special com- 
mittee having in charge the matter of 
bounties to volunteers, presented the 
following resolution, which was unani- 
mously adopted: 

"That the Board of Supervisors of 
Westchester County respectfully re- 
quest his excellency, Horatio Seymour, 
Governor of the State of New York, to 
call, without delay, an extra session of 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



the Legislature, for the purpose of 
passing a law, increasing the state 
bounty, to be paid to each volunteer 
who shall enlist into the service of 
the United States, to $300, or to adopt 
some means to raise recruits under the 
last call of the President or take the 
responsibility as Governor of offering 
a bounty of $300, pledging ourselves 
to sustain him in such action, and be- 
lieving that he will be sustained by 
the people of this state, &c." 

The salary of Edgar D. Bassett, 
clerk of the town of Cortlandt, was 

allowed at $75.00 

And for stationery 3.85 

Wm. A. Hunt, justice of the 

peace 124.00 

Thomas A. Whitney 128.64 

At the election for Secretary of State 
held Tuesday, November 2, 1863, 
Daniel B. St. John received in 

the county 6,672 

Chauncey M. Depew (Depew was 

elected) 6,043 

For school commissioner, Third 

District — • 
Wm. C. Howe, of Ossining, re- 
ceived 2.203 

Henry A. Wells, of Cortlandt. . . 2,272 

For County Judge — 

Owen T. Coffin, of Cortlandt 6,119 

Wm. H. Robertson, of Bedford. 6,542 

A special meeting of the Board of 
Supervisors was held June 21, 1864. 
Coffin S. Brown again represented 
Cortlandt. The purpose of this meet- 
ing was to confer with the Board of 
Supervisors of the County of New 
York in order to ascertain the propor- 
tion to be borne by the county of 
Westchester for the building of new 
bridges over the Harlem River. A 
committee of two supervisors from 
each of the assembly districts in this 
county, Coffi.n S. Brown, of Peekskill, 
and James Wood, of Bedford, repre- 
sented this assembly (3d) district on 
that committee. 

Another matter that came up was 
the advisability of appointing an agent 
from this county to visit the hospitals 
at Washington, and ascertain the 
names of the sick and wounded from 
this county, &c., and report. County 



Clerk J. Malcolm Smith was appoint- 
ed as such agent, temporarily. He 
performed the duty assigned him most 
thoroughly, — found the condition of 
the hospitals most satisfactory. The 
advisability of appointing an agent 
from this' district was to be taken un- 
der consideration. Later Wm. H. Titus 
was appointed such agent at a salary 
of $4.00 per day. 

The President since the adjournment 
of the annual session of the board is- 
sued a call for 500,000 volunteers. The 
quota for this county was 1,766. For 
Cortlandt, 219. 

A committee of six was appointed to 
select three suitable persons to act as 
recruiting agents for this county, and 
to be appointed by the Governor. At 
this special session the Board of Town 
Auditors of the town of Cortlandt were 
authorized to borrow on the credit of 
the said town the sum of $20,000 and 
issue bonds for the same, in such 
amounts and payable at such times as 
said board may judge proper. (The 
sum of $20,000 had already been raised 
by a note given to the Westchester 
County Bank for said sum and signed 
by more than one hundred of the resi- 
dents and taxpayers of this town. 

The Supervisors found themselves 
very much hampered in raising volun- 
teers, there was so much diversity in 
the amounts paid, so that the patriots 
who offered themselves for service, 
quibbled about the price like a lot of 
horse jockeys.) 

The Government of the United 
States paid bounties as follows: 

To volunteers for one year $100 

To volunteers for two years 200 

To volunteers for three years... 300 

On July 27 the Board of Supervisors 
of this county passed a resolution to 
pay bounties as follows: 

To volunteers for three years, prior 

to the draft, the sum of $400 

Drafted man, furnishing substi- 
tute 300 

Drafted man serving 300 

Volunteers for one year 200 

Volunteers for two years 250 

Volunteers for three years 300 

This on August 22, 1864, and addi- 



40 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 

tional sum for every volunteer, it was amended so that sum shall not 

of 200 exceed $700 for any term of service. 

For every drafted man 100 The Chief of the Bureau of Mili- 

The annual session began Monday, ^^^y Statistics having requested in- 

November 14, 1864. formation as to the amounts raised in 

E. G. Sutherland was re-elected the county for war purposes, reported 

chairman and J. Malcolm Smith, clerk. ^° ^^^^ ^^ follows: 

Coffin S. Brown was at the fore for Amount borrowed by county treasurer, 

Cortlandt. He was assigned to the i^ advance of specific legislative au- 

committee on school commissioners as thority in 1861, was $50,000 

chairman and second on county treas- Amount raised by loaning the 

urer, credit of the county in 1864 62,000 

That year Wm. Richards for county ^ 

session laws, &c., was allowed $484 50 ^°^^^ ^°^ ^^^ purposes $612,000 

The Jefferson Guards were allowed Expended as follows: 

for rent of armory, $75.00. ^^'' l^ounties to soldiers 560,600 

jt. „ .,, 1 p • \ . ^ , For recruiting fees or other 

It will be of interest to many of objects connected with en- 

the younger generation to know that nstments 1400 

the town of Cortlandt was bonded to p^r support' 'of ' ■fam'ilVes' ' of ' 

pay bounties, &c. ^^j^^^^,^ ^^^^^^ 

At this annual session Wm. J. Hor- 

ton and Harvey Green were appointed From April 15, 1861, to Jan. 

Turnpike Inspectors in place of Har- i, 1865 $612,000 

rison W. Smith and Wm. S. Tomp- \„ ^v. • i *• ' * i! ,j 

, . xwiuy Another special meeting was held 

T- ■ , , , , „ ,. .. „ April 27, 1865. At this meeting Uriah 

In the table of equalization of as- hju j^. succeeded Coffin S. Brown. 

sessments for 1864 the real estate of ^his meeting was also called to con- 

t9'«iT."nn°n /%S'«?.nn* ^'^^^ the question of bounties and 

tV ,'...«; onn'nf"''^^' ^^^^'^^^^-OO. j^^ ,^^,i^ ^^her business as may be 

Total, $3,464,200.00. , 1,4^1^4.1,1^ 

' brought before the board. 

An adjourned meeting of the board Wm. Cauldwell, of Morrisania, of- 

was held Jan. 4, 1865. This meeting fered the following, which was adopt- 

was called to make provision for fill- ed- 

ing the county's quota, of 300,000 men -Resolved, that as a token of respect 
called for by the recent president's ^^ the memory of our late Chief Mag- 
proclamation. Mr. Brown was pres- istrate, Abraham Lincoln, a committee 
ent to answer the roll call. It was ^^ appointed to draft resolutions ex- 
found that the county treasurer was .^ggj^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^.^^ ^^^ ^ .^.^^ ^^ 

unable to negotiate the sale of bonds ^^e people of this county at the loss 

under the terms proposed, owing to ^ ■ ^ ^ 4.1, 1. ■ -u- jj 

,, 1,4. p "--i wocu, uwiug tu sustained by the country in his sudden 

the school tenure proposed. It was ^^^^ untimely death, and of their sym- 

ordered by resolution, that the term ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ bereaved family of the 

be not to exceed ten years from April lamented deceased. The chair ap- 

1, next, and the amount maturing m j^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ committee: Wm. 

any one year not to exceed $100,000. cauldwell, of Morissania; W. Edgar 

There was some discrepancy be- Lawrence, Ossining; Benjamin Hege- 

tween the number called for by the man, Pelham; Uriah Hill, Jr., Cort- 

provost marshal general, and that jus- landt; Francis M. Carpenter, of New 

titled by a mathematical calculation Castle, and Samuel M. Purdy, of West 

based on a previous call. Farms. Owing to the subsequent ill- 

The sum previously paid by the ness of Mr. Cauldwell, Hezekiah D. 

county as bounties, viz.: $500 for three Robertson, of Bedford, was substituted 

years, $400 for two years, and $300 in his place. The committee as thus 

for one year not proving satisfactory, constituted presented the following 



PROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



41 



preamble and resolutions: 

Whereas, participating in the wide- 
spread and universal grief and sorrow 
which have filled the land, by reason 
of the sudden and violent death of 
Abraham Lincoln, late President of 
the United States, the members of this 
board cannot repress their strong de- 
sire to give utterance to their feel- 
ings, in view of the sad event which 
has overwhelmed every loyal heart 
with grief, and made every loyal home 
a house of mourning; 

Therefore, Resolved, that in the 
death of Abraham Lincoln, by the 
hands of an assassin, at a moment 
when peace was dawning on our land, 
we are called upon to mourn the loss 
of an Executive in whose administra- 
tion of national affairs was displayed 
a spirit of the loftiest patriotism, and 
unswerving integrity and devotion to 
the public welfare; 

Resolved, that in the unceasing ex- 
ertions of the deceased President to 
restore the Union, harmonize its citi- 
zens, and bring back its former pros- 
perity, we recognize great wisdom, en- 
lightened patriotism and statesman- 
ship of the highest order; and that by 
this terrible affliction the government 
has lost one of its firmest supports — 
mercy its brightest jewel, and human- 
ity its truest friend. 

Resolved, that the members of this 
board join with the nation and the 
whole civilized world in execration of 
the spirit which has prompted this 
deed, and in profound and personal 
sorrow for the bereavement which it 
has inflicted upon us; 

Resolved, that while, in common 
with our fellow citizens we mourn our 
national loss, we hereby tender to the 
immediate family of our late Presi- 
dent, our <=incpre and heartfelt sym- 
pathy in the bereavement which de- 
prived them and us alike of an hon- 
ored and respected head. 

Resolved, that the foregoing pre- 
amble and resolutions be published in 
all the newspapers of the county; 

Resolved, that as a mark of respect 
to the memory of our illustrious dead, 
we do now adjourn." 



The board met again on Thursday, 
Jan. 25. 

The board appropriated the sum of 
one hundred and twenty-five dollars 
for the expenses of Messrs. Purdy, 
Sutherland and Hunt for services as 
committee at Albany to arrange all 
matters connected with volunteering 
and substitutes for this county. On 
this day the board adjourned sine die. 
The annual session was begun on 
Monday, Nov. 13, 18G5. 

The name of Mr. Hill appears on 
the committee on school commission- 
ers, and on town and county indebted- 
ness. Bills at this session were pre- 
sented by John H. Hyatt, for services 

in notifying drafted men .$44.00 

For cleaning muskets at 

Peekskill $50.00 

There was allowed for the rent 
of the several armories for a 

year, the sum of $100.00 

The county treasurer reported, 
that since Jan. 1, 1865, there 
had been issued for war pur- 
poses, bonds to the amount of 
$71,106.77, making a grand 

Total to date of $683,106.97 

This seems to have been an un- 
healthy year. The expenses of the 
town Board of Health were $562.00. 
There were also bills from the same 
board, as a county charge, of $255.50. 
Census taken by the state marshals: 
Robert S. Armstrong, Edwin B. Lent, 
Eugene Travis and Clarence M. Teller. 
1866. A special meeting of the board 
was held on Tuesday, June 19, for 
the purpose of dividing the county 
into three assembly districts, pursu- 
ant to Section 2, Chapter 60, Laws of 
1866. At this special meeting Wm. 
Cauldwfll was chosen chairman. The 
following was the result: First dis- 
trict — Morissania, Westchester, West 
Farms and Yonkers. Second district — 
Bedford, East Chester, Greenburgh, 
Harrison, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, 
North Castle, Pelham, Rye, Scarsdale 
and White Plains. Third district — 
Cortlandt, Lewisboro, Mount Pleasant, 
New Castle, North Salem, Ossining 
Pound Ridge, Somers and Yorktown. 
An effort was made at this session 



42 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



to have one of the four normal schools 
recently authorized, to be located in 
this county, but as the meeting had 
been called for a specific purpose, no 
other action could be taken. 

A special meeting was called for 
July, 11, 1866, with the foregoing ob- 
ject in view. 

A committee of inquiry was appoint- 
ed, of which Mr. Hill was a member, 
to inquire into the subject. The com- 
mittee ran afoul of some knotty ques- 
tions and were also snubbed by Victor 
M. Rice, Superintendent of Instruction 
at Albany, who paid no attention to 
the respectful letter of the committee 
for some information upon the ques- 
tion submitted. 

The annual session was held Mon- 
day, Nov. 12. Wm. Cauldwell was 
made chairman. This year the license 
fees for hotels had been raised to 
fifty dollars, and there were collected 
$15,740.00. 

In the Surrogate's report is found 
among the wills probated that year, 
the name of Capt. Geo. W. Depew, Jr. 

The state tax that year was 5 3-4 
mills on the dollar, and the amount to 
be raised, $250,152.37. 

Companies F and G of the Eigh- 
teenth Regiment, N. Y. S. N. G., were 
allowed $200 for rent of armories. 

Milton Frost, school commissioner, 
was allowed $300 for travelling ex- 
penses. 

This seems to have been a good year 
for the printers. Ezra J. Horton was 
allowed for printing and advertising, 
$2,068.20. 

Among the resolutions passed was 
one levying a tax upon the county of 
$1,526.25, and paid to Wm. E. Teed, 
with which to pay John Hutchings for 
building an iron bridge over the Cro- 
ton river, known as the old turnpike 
bridge. The name Hutchings is either 
a clerical or typographical error. It 
should be Hutchinson, a former resi- 
dent of Peekskill. 

It was at this session that steps 
were taken to purchase the Five Mile 
Turnpike, running from the village at 
Peekskill east to the Mill road, at a 
cost not exceeding two thousand dol- 



lars, one half to be borne by the Coun- 
ty of Westchester, and one half by the 
towns of Cortlandt and Yorktown, ac- 
cording to the length of said road in 
each of said towns. The board ad- 
journed to meet Jan. 30, 1867, which 
meeting was held and some routine 
business transacted, whereupon the 
board adjourned sine die. 

The annual meeting was held Mon- 
day, Nov. 11, 1867. Mr. Hill again rep- 
resented Cortlandt, and George P. 
Nelson, son of the late Wm. Nelson, in 
this board represented Scarsdale. At 
the lirst day's meeting a quorum was 
lacking, but Tuesday morning there 
was a full attendance. Balloting for 
chairman began. On the first ballot 
William Couldwell received 12 votes. 
Hezekiah D. Robertson received 12 
votes. Nineteen ballots were taken, 
with the same result. Wednesday no 
result. On Thursday, none. Adjourn- 
ment was taken until Monday, the 
18th, with no result. On Tuesday Mr. 
Roliertson, withdrew his name. His 
action was followed by Mr. Cauldwell 
to the same effect. The matter re- 
sulted in the choice of Abraham Hat- 
field for chairman, and Capt. Wm. W. 
Pierson for clerk. At this session 
Samuel Gale, constable, was allowed 
$78.85 for services. 

In the county treasurer's report for 
this year the receipt from John H. 
Hyatt for fines is acknowledged. It 
was at this meeting that Supervisor 
Geo. P. Nelson presented a copy of a 
proposed act for approval by the 
board, which constituted the Lieuten- 
ant Governor, Secretary of State and 
State Treasurer as commissioners to 
adjust, settle or compromise the 
claims of their state against the 
County of Westchester, &c., &c. 

The assessed valuation of this town 
was set as follows: 

Real estate, $3,089,950.00; personal, 
$816,500. Total, $3,906,500.00. 

The board adjourned Dec. 11 to meet 
the third Monday, Feb. 17, 1868. 

1868. Feb. 17. Board met pursuant 
to adjournment. At this meeting the 
matter of the purchase of the Five 
Mile Turnpike was taken up and dis- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



43 



posed of, the treasurer of this county 
being authorized to pay the sum of 
$2,000 to be paid over to the treasurer 
or the authorized agent of said turn- 
pike company and the said turnpike 
road to be thrown open forever to the 
public use without further delay. 

The matter of pressing the claims of 
the county against the sureties of 
Henry Willetts, late treasurer of the 
county, was held in abeyance. There- 
upon the board adjourned sine die. 

The Board of Supervisors met in 
annual session Monday, Nov. 9, 1868, 
with all the members present. Coffin 
S. Brown representing Cortlandt. 
William Cauldwell was chosen chair- 
man and Chas. E. Johnson, clerk. 

In the report of the superintendents 
of the poor, especial mention is made 
of one, who has since become a resi- 
dent of this town, viz.: 

"Miss Minerva Hammond has con- 
tinued to act as teacher of the chil- 
dren under her care, with a patient 
solicitude worthy of admiration." This 
lady later became the wife of the Hon. 
David Wiley Travis. 

The fee for holding an inquest was 
placed at $10, and the committee on 
coroners instructed to allow no more 
than $10 for any one inquest. 

A contract was awarded to John D. 
Hutchinson for putting up a new iron 
bridge over the Croton river in place 
of the former wooden one at Pines 
Bridge, for the sum of $5,000. At this 
session the Peekskill Messenger was 
selected as one of the county papers 
to print the session laws. The High- 
land Democrat was also one of the 
papers selected to publish the ab- 
stracts of town and county accounts, 
&c. 

Among the bills allowed was one to 
the late Wm. H. Hunter, plank for 
Van Cortlandt bridge, $176.28. John 
H. Hyatt was allowed, for rent of 
armories of companies F and G, Eigh- 
teenth N. G. S. N. Y., $200.00. These 
companies were disbanded this year. 
John H. Hyatt, for cleaning muskets, 
&c., $27.00. Wm. Richards was allow- 
ed for printing, $114.15; Highland 
Democrat allowed for printing, $1,- 



403.65. The assessed valuation of 
Cortlandt was placed this year as fol- 
lows: Real, $3,185,100.00; personal, 
$853,230. Total, $4,038,330.00. This 
year the bills of the Peekskill lockup 
loom up as follows: Simpkins & Co., 
coal for same, $29.13; S. J. Jacobus, 
gas for same, $54.00; Stephen Wil- 
liams, keeper for same, $48.75; Horace 
Durrin, keeper for same, $41.00; Sam- 
uel Gale, keeper for same, $284.50. 
Total, $457.38. 

Stephen Lent, justice of the peace, 
$126.05. Harrison SmUh, Jesse Hun-,, 
John L. Knapp, Samuel J. Jacobus, 
Abram G. Conklin, Ed^vard C. Wilson 
and others, Inspectors of lOk-ction, raid 
Registry, were allowed each, $25.00. 

The vote for Member of Assembly 
in this, the third district, was for Jas. 
W. Husted, 3,569; Henry C. Nelson, 
3,261. Husted's majority, 308. 

1869. Annual session, Monday, Nov. 
8, with Coffin S. Brown, from Cort- 
landt. Hon. William Cauldwell became 
chairman, and Chas. E. Johnson at the 
Clerk's desk. The chair on behalf of 
the board, through Supervisor Hat- 
field, was presented with a gold 
mounted ivory gavel, to which the re- 
cipient fitly responded. 

At the second day's meeting of the 
board a communication was received 
from the Grand Jury, calling the atten- 
tion of its members to the crowded and 
unsanitary condition of the county 
jail. Among the signers were Jesse 
Hunt and Aaron Cragin, of Cortlandt. 

This year there was an increase of 
$221,500 in the assessed valuation of 
the real estate in the town of Cort- 
landt, and a decrease in personal of 
$45,830, making the total for the year 
of real and personal, of $4,224,050.00. 

A statement made to the board by 
the "Committee on Town and County 
Indebtedness," shows the bonded in- 
debted of Cortlandt to be as follows: 

Due on first bounty loan, $108,069.21 ; 
due on second bounty loan, $26.- 
690.90; bonds issued by town for 
bounty purposes, $5,000.00; bonds is- 
sued by town for town improvements, 
$15,000.00. Total bonded indebtedness, 
$154,760.20. 



44 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



This year the Inspectors of Registry 
and Election were allowed each $30.09. 

Among the names of the inspectors 
this year, were those of Robert D., and 
Geo. P. Nelson. 

At the election this year, an amend- 
ment to the State Constitution, abolish- 
ing the property qualification for 
colored voters, was submitted. The 
vote in Cortlandt, was for the property 
qualification, 563 — against. 548. 

The vote for Member of Assembly, 
Third District — For James W. Husted, 
3,113; for W. Edgar Lawrence, 1,969. 
Husted's majority, 1,144. 



THE FIRST PRELUDE OF THE REV- 
OLUTION 

The Convention that met in Albany, 
in June, 1754, to discuss a plan of 
Union, may be considered as the ear- 
liest attempts at a consolidation of 
strength in the American Colonies, and 
was regarded with jealousy by the 
mother country, as tending to inde- 
pendence. New York was represent- 
ed in this convention by Joseph Mur- 
ray, Wm. Johnson, John Chambers, 
and Wm. Smith, of his Majesty's Coun- 
cil. 

The first Congress of the American 
Colonies that met to oppose the as- 
sumptions of the British Parliament, 
assembled in New York city, October 
7, 1765, at which this colony was rep- 
resented by Robert R. Livingston, 
Philip Livingston, Leonard Lispenard, 
John Cuyler, and Wm. Bayard. 



APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATES TO 
THE PROVISIONAL CONVEN- 
TION FROM WESTCHESTER 
COUNTY. 

White Plains, in the County of West- 
chester, the 11th day of April, 
1775. 
On the 2Sth day of March last, the 
following gentlemen having received 
letters from the chairman of the com- 
mittee of the city and county of New 
York relative to the appointment of 
deputies for this county, met at this 
place for the purpose of devising 
means for taking the sense of this 



county upon the subject, viz. : 

Col. Lewis Morris, Stephen Ward, 
Thomas Hunt, Abraham Leggott, 
James Horton, Jr., Esq., Abraham 
Guion, Esq., Thodosius Barlow, Wil- 
liam Sutton, Esq., Capt. Joseph Drake, 
James Willis, Benjamin Drake, who 
having taken the same into considera- 
tion, agreed to notify the principal 
freeholders in the different towns and 
districts in the county, &c. 

This committee unanimously resolv- 
ed to send eight delegates to meet in 
the city of New York, April 20, 1775, 
for the purpose of electing delegates 
to represent this Colony in the Gen- 
eral Congress to be held in Philadel- 
phia on the 10th day of May, next. 

The eight delegates were: Col. 
Lewis Morris, Stephen Ward, Samuel 
Drake, Esq., Col. James Holmes, John 
Thomas, Jr., Esq., Jonathan Piatt, 
Esq., Robt. Graham, Esq., and Major 
Philip Van Cortlandt. After selecting 
these delegates, the two following 
resolutions were then unanimously en- 
tered into, viz.: 

"Resolved, that the thanks of this 
body be given to the virtuous minority 
of the General Assembly in this prov- 
ince, and particularly to John Thomas 
and Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esqs., two 
of our representatives, for their firm 
attachment to and zeal, on a late oc- 
casion for the presentation of the 
Union of the Colonies and the rights 
and liberties of America — and that 
this resolution be communicated by 
the chairman to every gentleman of 
the minority consisted." 

"Resolved, that the thanks of this 
county is due to the delegates who 
composed the late Congress for the 
essential services they have rendered 
to America in, and that this resolve 
be forthwith published." 

After the business of the day con- 
cluded the people gave three huzzas 
for our gracious Sovereign and dis- 
persed quickly, without the least dis- 
order. 

Lewis Morris, Chairman. 

On November 7, 1775, Col. Lewis 
Graham, Stephen Ward, Esq., Col. 
Joseph Drake, Robert Graham, Esq., 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



45 



John Thomas, Jr., Esq., William Paw- 
ling, Maj. Ebenezer Lockwood, Col. 
Pierre Van Cortlandt and Col. Gilbert 
Drake were duly elected delegates 
from Westchester County to the Pro- 
vincial Congress, to be held in Nevv 
York on November 14 inst. "to serve 
until the second Tuesday of May, 
1776," any three of said deputies to 
act for the county. 

Dec. 4, 1775, Gov. William Tryon, 
from the ship Duchess, of Gordon, ly- 
ing in New York harbor, writes to 
Whitehead Hicks, Esq., Mayor of New 
Y'ork, stating that "his Majesty has 
been graciously pleased to grant me 
his royal permission to withdraw from 
the government; and at the same time 
to assure the people of the Colony, of 
my readiness to perform every service 
in my power to promote the common 
felicity." The proclamation fell flat. 
The people had no faith in Tryon's 
promises. 

An address was issued by a large 
majority of the inhabitants of Queens 
County, in which appear the following 
significant passages: 

"Reports have been circulated, and 
messages delivered to us importing 
that we are to be disarmed, and some 
of our principal people taken in cus- 
tody; that in short, we are to be treat- 
ed as enemies of our country. We call 
upon every man who values himself 
upon the inheritance of an English- 
man, to say what he would do in such 
a case. W'ould he suffer himself to 
be disarmed, and tamely confess him- 
self an abject slave? Certainly not. 
Can any one, then, who feels the spir- 
it of liberty, impose that on us which 
he had rather die than submit to him- 
self?" 
"The North End of Salem Wakes Up." 

Dec. 18, 1775, Thaddeus Crane and 
Solomon Chase, Jr., notify the county 
committee at White Plains, "that on 
Noveml)er 27, 1775, they attended an 
election of officers for the militia com- 
pany of that place, and that Jesse 
Trusdell was chosen captain; Ezekiel 
Hawley, first lieutenant; Solomon 
Close, Jr., second lieutenant, and 
Elijah Dean, ensign," and that com- 



missions as such be issued as soon 
as possible." 

We find the lower part of the county 
becoming interested in procuring 
means of defense against the common 
enemy, in Harrison's precinct, and 
these went into an arrangement for 
the choice of officers under the in- 
spection of Col Thomas Thomas, 
Samuel Haviland and William Miller, 
three of the committee, where Samuel 
Tredwell was unanimously chosen 
captain, and Thaddeus Avery was 
chosen lieutenant, unanimously. Like- 
wise, Abraham was chosen corneth by 
a majority, and Uytendall Allair was 
chosen quartermaster by a majority, 
also certified by us. 

Thomas Thomas, 
William Miller. 

Commissions issued Feb. 21, 1776. 
White Plains, Feb. 14, 1776. 

On this date nineteen minute men 
held an election for officers under the 
oversight of Jonathan G. Tompkins 
and Nicholas Fisher, two of the county 
committee, which resulted in the 
choice of James Veryan, captain; 
Samuel Crawford, first lieutenant; 
Isaac Oakley, second lieutenant, and 
Joseph Todd, ensign. 

Some one from this county writing 
to a delegate in the Continental Con- 
gress, under date of February 15, 1776, 
states that "Colonel McDougall en the 
spot, in a constant tour of duty, and 
Lieut. Col. Courtlandt in Westchester, 
ready when reqiured." 

[Note. — Col. McDougall, afterwards 
brigadier general, with headquarters 
at Peekskill.— S. D. H.] 



Itinerary of General Washington, 
Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of 
the United States, 15 June, 1775, to 23 
December, 1783. Copied from the 
Magazine of American History, Febru- 
ary, 1879. 

1775. June 15 — At Philadelphia in 
Congress, accepts his commission in 
writing. 

21 — Leaves Philadelphia to take 
command of the army. 

24 — At Newark. 

25— At New York. 



46 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 



26 — Leaves New York for the east- 
ward; sleeps at Kingsbridge. 

29— At Wethersfield. 

30— At Hartford. 

July 2 — At Watertown;; received by 
Mass. Prov. Cong at Cambridge Camp. 

3 — At Cambridge. Headquarters; 
takes command of the army. 

5 — At Roxbury Camp, with Maj. 
Gen. Lee. 

13 — At Cambridge Camp, 

Aug. 30 — At Cambridge Camp. 

1776. April 4 — Leaves Cambridge 
for New York. 

5 — At Providence. 

8 — At Norwich. Meets Gov. Trum- 
bull. 

9 — At New London. Meets Com. 
Hopkins. 

11 — At New Haven. 

13 — At New York. Headquarters. 

May 21 — Leaves New York for 
Phladelphia; Congress in session. 

. . — Leaves Philadelphia for New 
York. 

June 8 — At New York. Headquar- 
ters. 

Aug. 29 — At Battle of Long Island. 

30 — At New York. Headquarters. 

Sept. 4 — At Kingsbridge. Visits 
Gen. Heath. 

Sept. 16 — At Harlem Heights. Head- 
quarters Col. Roger Morris House. 

Oct. 22— At Valentine's Hill, West- 
chester. Headquarters. 

. . — At White Plains. Headquarters. 

28— At Battle of Chatterton's Hill, 
White Plains. 

Nov. 10— At North Castle. Head- 
quarters. 

11 — At Peekskill. Headquarters. 

11 — At Fort Montgomery; inspects 
highland defences with his officers. 

12 — At the gorge of the Highlands, 
with General Heath. 

12 — Crosses the Hudson to the Jer- 
seys. 

14 — At Fort Lee; General Greene's 
quarters. 

16— At Fort Lee. Views the fight at 
Fort Washington from the Palisades. 

19 — At Hackensack; on tour of in- 
spection. 

21 — At Aquackanoc Bridge. 

24 — At Newark. 

29 — At Brunswick. Headquarters. 



Dec. 2 — At Trenton. Pleadquarters. 

8 — At Mr. Berkeley's summer seat. 

10 — At Falls of the Delaware. 

12 — Bucks' County. Headquarters 
at Keith's. 

18 — In camp near Falls of Trenton. 

21 — In camp above Trenton Falls. 

25— At Battle of Trenton. 

27 — At Newtown. Headquarters. 

29 — At Bucks' County. Headquart- 
ers. 

1777. Jan. 2— Marches from Tren- 
ton. 

3— At Battle of Princeton. 

5 — At Pluckernin, on march. 

7 — At Morristown. Headquarters. 

May 29— At Middlebrook. Head- 
quarters. 

June 25 — In camp at Quibbletown. 

28 — In camp at Middlebrook. 

July 4 — At Morristown. Headquar- 
ters. 

12 — At Pompton Plains. Headquar- 
ters. 

15 — At the Clove. Headquarters. 

21 — Eleven miles in the Clove; on 
the march. 

24 — At Ramapo. Headquarters. 

30 — At Coryell's Ferry on the Dela- 
ware; on the march. 

Aug. 1 — At Chester. 

3 — At Philadelphia. Headquarters. 

5 — At Germantown, in camp. 

11 — At Bucks' County; in camp. 

16 — At Crossroad; in camp. 

17 — At Bucks' County. Headquar- 
ters. 

19 — At Neshaminy Bridge. 

20 — At Bucks' County. Headquar- 
ters. 

21 — At Neshaminy camp. 

22— At Bucks' County. 

22 — At Crossroad; in camp. 

23 — Six miles from Philadelphia; on 
march. 

25 — At Wilmington. Headquarters. 

Sept. 3 — Evacuates Philadelphia. 

8 — At Newport, Bucks' County, Pa. 

9 — Eight miles from Wilmington. 

10— At Chester. 

13 — At Germantown. Headquarters. 

15 — At Buck's Tavern. 

15 — At Chad's Ford, on the Brandy- 
wine. Headquarters; Battle of Brandy- 
wine. 

17 — At Yellow Springs. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



47 



19 — At Parker's Ford, on the Schuyl- 
kill ; in camp. 

20 — At Reading Furnace; in camp. 

23 — Near Pottsgrove; in camp. 

29 — At Pennybecker's Mills. Head- 
quarters. 

Oct. 9 — At Frederick. Headquarters 
at Wampoole's. 

11 — At Skippach camp. 

11 — At Toamensing. Headquarters. 

15 — At Philadelphia. Headquarters. 

15 — At Philadelphia County. 

16 — At . Headquarters at 

Peter Wintz's. 

17— At Matuchen Hill. 

18 — At Philadelphia County. 

27 — On the Skippach road. 

27— At Philadelphia County. 

30 — Near Whitemarsh. Headquar- 
ters. 

Dec. 4 — Near the Gulf; a defile near 
the Schuylkill. Headquarters. 

14— Near the Gulf Mill. 

17— At Gulf Mill. Headquarters. 

22 — At Valley Forge. Headquar- 
ters. 

1778. Feb. 10— At Valley Forge. 

May 18 — At Valley Forge. 

June 21 — Ten miles from Coryell's 
Ferry. 

22 — At Coryell's Ferry. Headquar- 
ters. 

24 — At Hopewell. Headquarters. 

25 — At Cranberry. 

28— At Englishtown. 

July 1 — Spotswood. Headquarters. 

3 — At Brunswick. 

11 — At Paramus. Headquarters. 

17 — At Haverstraw Bay. Headquar- 
ters. 

21 — At White Plains. Headquarters. 

Aug. 15 — At White Plains; in camp. 

Sept. 19— At Fort Clinton, West 
Point. 

19 — At Fishkill ; visits hospitals and 
stores. 

23 — At Fredericksburg. Headquar- 
ters. 

Oct. 3— At Fishkill, Col. Brincker- 
hoff's. 

8 — At Fishkill. Headquarters. 

10 — At Fredericksburg. Headquar- 
ters. 

20 — Leaves Fishkill for Fredericks- 
burg. 

Dec. 7 — At Paramus. 



12 — At Middlebrook. Headquarters. 
22 — Arrives at Philadelphia. 
28— At Philadelphia. 

1779. Feb. 2— Leaves Philadelphia 
for New Jersey. 

8 — At Middlebrook. Headquarters. 

June 4 — At Morristown. Headquar- 
ters. 

6 — At Ringwood Iron Works. 

10 — Passed through Trenton on his 
way to camp. 

10 — Middlebrook. Headquarters. 

11 — At Smith's Clove. Headquar- 
ters. 

21— At West Point, with General 
Heath. 

25 — At New Windsor. Headquar- 
ters. 

July 15 — At Fort Montgomery. 

16 — At New Windsor. 

17— At Stony Point. 

19— At West Point. 

20— At New Windsor. 

25 — At West Point. Headquarters. 

Aug. 9 — At Smith's Tavern, in the 
Clove. 

12— At West Point. 

15 — At West Point. Headquarters. 

29— At West Point. 

Nov. 29— At Peekskill. 

Dec. 7 — At Morristown. Headquar- 
ters. 

1780. Jan. 8 — At Morristown. Head- 
quarters. 

June 2 — At Morristown. Headquar- 
ters. 

7 — At Chatham. Headquarters. 

10 — At Heights above Springfield. 
Headquarters. 

12 — At Bryant Tavern. Headquar- 
ters. 

25 — At Whippany. Headquarters. 

27 — At Ramapo. Headquarters. 

July 2 — At Preakness. Headquar- 
ters. 

4 — At Bergen County, Headquar- 
ters. 

10 — Near Passaic. Headquarters at 
Col. Deys. 

22 — At Preakness. Headquarters. 

30 — At Paramus. 

31 — At Highlands, New York. 

31— In the Highlands, at Col. Rob- 
inson's headquarters. 

31 — At Peekskill. Headquarters. 

Aug. 11 — At Orangetown, Head- 



48 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



quarters. 

11 — At Tappan. Headquarters. 

Sept. 2 — At Bergen County. Head- 
quarters. 

9 — At Steenrapie. Headquarters. 

17— Left for Hartford. 

20 — At Hartford; interview with 
Rochambeau. 

25 — At Robinson's House, in the 
highlands. Headquarters. 

26 — At Orangetown, Rockland Coun- 
ty. Headquarters. 

26 — At Robinson's. Headquarters. 

Oct. 1 — At Orangetown; issues or- 
ders for the execution of Andre. 

4 — At Tappan. Headquarters. 

7 — At Paramus. 

8 — Near Passaic Falls. Headquar- 
ters. 

9 — At Totowa. Headquarters. 

9 — At Bergen County, N. J. 

10 — At Preakness. 

11 — At Bergen County. 

11 — Near Passaic Falls. 

14 — Near Passaic Falls. Headquar- 
ters. 

16 — At Preakness. 

18 — Near Passaic. Headquarters. 

21 — Near Passaic Falls. 

31 — At Totowa (Passaic Falls) ; in 
camp. 

Nov. 27 — Breaks camp at Totowa. 

28 — Leaves for New Windsor. 

28 — At Morristown. 

29 — At Morristown. Headquarters. 
Army marches. 

Dec. 6 — At New Windsor. Head- 
quarters. Winter quarters. 

1781. Jan. 11— At West Point; holds 
council of war. 

22— At West Point with Lafayette. 

24 — At New Windsor. Headquar- 
ters. 

26 — At Ringwood. 

29 — At New Windsor. Headquar- 
ters. 

March. 2 — Left New Windsor for 
Newport to meet Rochambeau. 

4 — Passed through Hartford. 

6 — Arrived at Newport. 

13— Left Newport. 

17— At Hartford. 

24 — At New Windsor. Headquar- 
ters. 

April 4 — At West Point. 

26 — At West Point, with Mons. Be- 



ville, quartermaster of French army. 

May 8 — At New Windsor. Head- 
quarters. 

9— At West Point. 

20 — At Hartford. Conference with 
Rochambeau. 

23 — At Weathersfield. Rochambeau's 
headquarters. 

27 — At New Windsor. Headquar- 
ters. 

June 26 — At Peekskill, near head- 
quarters. 

26 — Two miles from Peekskill. 
Headquarters. 

July 2 — Leaves Peekskill at 3 
o'clock a. m. with his staff; opens the 
campaign; halts at the new bridge 
over Croton; makes a reconnoissance 
toward New York at Valentine's Hill. 
Mile square. 

3— At Valentine's Hill. 

3 — In the saddle on reconnoissance. 

4 — At camp near White Plains. 

5 — At North Castle. Visits the 
French army; dines with Rochambeau. 

6 — At Philipsburg. 

6 — Near Dobbs Ferry. Headquar- 
ters. 

7 — At Philipsburg; in camp. 

10 — Near Dobbs Ferry. Headquar- 
ters. 

21 — At Joshua Hett Smith's House, 
Haver straw. 

2.5 — At King's Ferry; the army 
crosses the Hudson. 

Aug. 4 — At Philadelphia; dines with 
M. de la Luzerne. 

6 — Makes a reconnoissance toward 
King's Bridge. 

17 — In camp at Philipsburg. 

17 — At Dobbs Ferry. Headquarters. 

19 — Leaves Dobbs Ferry for the 
South to capture Cornwallis. 

26 — At Ramapo. 

27— At Chatham. 

29 — At Trenton. 

31 — At Philadelphia. 

Sept. 2— At Philadelphia. 

5— At Head of Elk. 

10 — At Mount Vernon. 

15 — At Williamsburgh. 

27 — At Williamsburgh; issues orders 
of battle. 

Oct. 1 — In camp near York. Head- 
quarters. 

21 — Near Yorktown. Headquarters. 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



49 



27 — At York; entertains Corn wal lis. 
Nov. 15 — At Mount Vernon. 
20 — At Alexandria. 
22 — At Annapolis. 
28 — At Philadelphia. 

1782. April 1 — At Newburgh. 

19 — At Newburgh. Headquarters. 

May 12— At Highlands. 

30 — At Highlands; orders celebra- 
tion of Dauphin's birthday. 

31 — At West Point; celebration of 
Dauphin's birthday; on the Parade 
with Mrs. Washington. 

June c — At Newburgh. 

July 9 — At Newburgh. Headquar- 
ters. 

22— At Philadelphia. 

Sept. 1 — At Verplanck's Point. Head- 
quarters. 

Dec. 14 — At Newburgh. 

25— At Philadelphia. 

1783. March 23 — At Mount Vernon. 

April IS — At Newburgh. Headquar- 
ters; issues address on cessation of 
hostilities. 

19 — At Ringwood; interview with 
the Secretary of War. 

20 — At Newburgh. Headquarters. 

May 3 — At Dobbs Ferry, with Gov- 
ernor Clinton, to meet Sir Guy Carle- 
ton. 

6 — At Oran-^etown on conference 
with Sir Guy Carleton. 

9 — At Newburgh. Headquarters. 

15 — At Poughkeepsie. 

June 6 — At Newburgh. Headquar- 
ters; replies to address of generals. 

23 — At ?Iewburgh. Headquarters; 
Council of V7ar on mutiny of Penn- 
sylvania troops. 

Aug. 4 — \t Albany. 

12 — At Newburgh. 

26 — At Princeton; Congress in ses- 
sion. 

31— At Rocky Hill. 

Oct. 2— At Rocky Hill. 

1? — At Princeton. 

Nov. 4 — 4.t Newburgh. Headquar- 
ters; issues proclamation disbanding 
thf army. 

14— At West Point. 

22 — \t Harlem. 

25 — At New York; enters with army; 
dines with the Governor; the British 
evacuate. 

Dec. 2 — At New York; farewell to 



olRcers at Fraunces' Tavern; leaves 
New York for Annapolis. 

10— At Philadelphia. 

20 — Arrives at Annapolis; Congress 
in session. 

23 — Resigns his commission to Con- 
gress. 

["The difficulty found in locating 
Washington at any particular day 
during the War of the Revolution sug- 
gested," says the late John Austin 
Stevens, "the advantage of the above 
itinerary, compiled from correspond- 
ence, newspapers, etc." For refer- 
ence purposes, it will be found most 
useful, and for the especial benefit o? 
the readers of the Highland Democrat 
it is herewith presented. — S. D. H.] 



The first New York Provisional 
Congress convened at New York city 
May 23, 1775; adjourned Nov. 4, 1775. 
The second New York Provisional 
Congress convened at same place Nov. 
14, 1775, and adjourned May 13, 1776. 
The third New York Provision Con- 
gress convened at New York city May 
14, 1776, secured a quorum on the 
ISth, and June 30 following, adjourned 
*o V/hite Plains, Westchester County. 
Convened at White Plains July 9, 
1776. On the same day the Declara- 
tion cf Independence was read to a 
vast multitude of people gathered in 
front of the court house, where the 
present arsenal now is, as indicated 
by a memorial erected by the Daugh- 
ters of the Revolution. 

It was a period of great rejoicing 
on the part of the patriots, and of cor- 
responding depression in the hearts of 
the loyalists. 

The next day, July 10, the designa- 
tion "Provincial Congress of the Col- 
ony of New York" was changed to 
"Tcnvention of Representatives of the 
State of New York." 

Aug. 1, 1776, a committee of thirteen 
was ai)pointed to prepare and report 
"on Constitution," viz.: Col. John 
Broome, Col. Chas. DeWitt, Wm. Duer. 
John Sloss Hobart. John Jay, Robert 
R. Livingston, Gouverneur Morris, Gen- 
eral John Morin Scott, William Smi^i, 



50 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Samuel Townsend, Henry Wisner, Ab- 
raham Yates and Robert Yates. 

The session of the Convention was 
interrupted many times. It adjourned 
from White Plains to Fishkill Aug. 29, 
1776, and from there to Kingston, Feb. 
19, 1777, and finally dissolved May 13, 
1777. 

The sessions at the places above 
named were frequently suspended by 
adjournments, as the exigencies of the 
case demanded. 

In these intervals a "Committee of 
Safety" was in session. Col. Pierre 
Van Cortlandt, of Peekskill, whom, in 
October, 1777, was elected the first 
Lieutenant Governor of this state, un- 
der the first Constitution, was vice- 
president of this Convention, and oc- 
casionally presided over its delibera- 
tions. 

The committee named above made 
its report March 12, 1777. This was 
discussed until the 20th of April fol- 
lowing, when it was adopted. 

Col. Philip Van Cortlandt was a 
delegate to the first Provincial Con- 
gress, and Col. Pierre Van Cortlandt 
to the second, third and fourth. 

The Constitutional Convention called 
to deliberate upon and ratify the fed- 
eral constitution, met at Poughkeep- 
sie June 14, 1788, and adjourned after 
completing its work, July 26 of the 
same year. The delegates from West- 
chester County to this notable and 
historic body were: Thaddeus Crane, 
Richard Hatfield, Philip Livingston, 
Lewis Morris, Lott W. Sarlls, and 
Philip Van Cortlandt, all of whom 
voted to ratify. 

So much is necessary in order to 
note how the work of carrying on the 
new state government had developed 
and broadened, and also how the va- 
rious contingencies, which arose from 
time to time, were met and provided 
for. 

It is interesting to note in this con- 
nection that in calling out men to 
serve in this state during the Revolu- 
tionary struggle, that the following 
were exempted: "One miller to each 
grist mill, three powder makers to 
each powder mill, five men to each 



furnace, three journeymen in each 
printing office, and one ferryman to 
each public ferry." 

"Each soldier must present himself 
armed, and with a blanket, a powder 
horn, and a flint, and sometimes even 
a tomahawk was required." 

All officers in the cities of New York, 
Albany and Schenectady were ordered 
to wear their swords during divine 
service under a penalty of twenty shil- 
lings. 

Rum, sugar and tea were regular 
rations, and the amount was gauged 
by the rank. A major-general was 
deemed to require, and was allowed 
each month, four gallons of rum, six 
pounds of sugar and half a pound of 
tea. A brigadier-general, three gal- 
lons of rum, four pounds of sugar and 
six ounces of tea. A colonel, a lieu- 
tenant-colonel and a major, two and 
one-half gallons of rum, and the same 
amount of sugar and tea. A chaplain, 
ditto as to sugar and tea, but only two 
gallons of rum. The scale was con- 
tinued until a non-commissioned offi- 
cer and a private received one pound 
of sugar, two ounces of tea and one 
pound of tobacco, but no rum. 

A colonel's pay was $75 per month, 
or one York £ per day. A lieutenant- 
colonel's pay was $60 per month; a 
major's $50, a captain's $40, an ad- 
jutant's the same, a lieutenant's 
$'>6 2-3, an ensign's $20, a sergeant's 
$8, a corporal's $7 1-3, and a private's 
pay, $6 2-3 per month. 

In 1781 it was provided that any 
slave who should enlist and serve, "for 
three years, or until discharged," 
should be declared a freeman of the 
state. 

In the same year a bounty of "Land 
Rights," so-called (a right being 500 
acres), was offered to officers and men 
for two regiments then to be raised 
for the defense of the state. To a col- 
onel, lieutenant-colonel and major 
four rights, to a captain and a sur- 
geon three rights, to a lieutenant, en- 
sign or surgeon's mate two rights, and 
to a non-commissioned officer or priv- 
ate one right. Bounties. 

The Provisional Congress, Aug. 1, 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



51 



1775, Resolved, that every ollicer en- 
listing a man should be paid cue dol- 
lar for each soldier passing muster, 
the officers paying the expense of such 
enlistment. Soon after a bounty of 
$50 was allowed to soldiers enlisting 
in the levies. 

By way of contrast we find that, in 
1702, under the rule of the good Queen 
Anne, that all males between the ages 
of 16 and 45 be liable to military duty. 
She ordered "each captain to furnish 
drums, bugles and colors" for his com- 
pany, "and imposed a fine of two 
pounds for each month he was in de- 
fault." 

The captain was authorized (in case 
any of liis men failed to supply him- 
self with the required equipments, or 
to pay the penalty of 20 shillings for 
such failure, "to levy upon and sell 
the delinquent's goods." "In case the 
offender was unaljle or refused to pay, 
and he had no goods to distress, he 
shall ride the wooden horse or lie laid 
by the neck and heels in a public 
place for not to exceed one hour." 

From his headquarters at Ft. Mont- 
gomery, July 14, 1776, Gen. George 
Clinton orders Col. Jesse Woodhull 
"to report to him with 200 men of 
his regiment." He informs Woodhull 
"that 400 men of Col. Hasbrouck's and 
Col. (James) Clinton's regiments." 
He also writes on the same day to 
Col. Hasbrouck "that the enemy have 
landed their troops two miles below 
Peekskill." He reports on same date, 
at 7 p. m. to the committee of safety 
at Poughkeepsie, "of his need of sup- 
pplies." From Ft. Montgoremry he 
writes next day (July 15), to General 
Washington, of the measures he has 
taken to hold the forts. The 16th he 
dispatched a company of 50 men and 
two lieutenants, under Capt. Moffett, 
to defend Haverstraw, and act as a 
ci^rrs of observation. Oct. 16, 1776, the 
Convention of Representatives of the 
State of ^^ew York, then in session at 
White Plains, resolved, "That one- 
fourth part of the militia of the coun- 
ties of Wfstchester, Dutchess, Ulster 
and Orange be drawn for service." * * 
"And as at this busy season of the 



year, the service may be inconvenient 
to many of them." Resolved, that each 
(man) be allowed twenty dollars as 
a bounty with Continental pay and 
subsistence, and be continued in serv- 
ice until the last day of December 
next, unless sooner discharged." "Re- 
solved, "That the men raised in the 
counties of Westchester and Dutchess 
repair immediately to Peekskill, and 
that General Washington be requested 
to appoint officers upon what station 
they shall occupy, and to nominate 
deputy commissioners for the troops 
on each side of the river." 

Thomas Thomas was named as col- 
onel and Ebenezer Purdy, as major of 
the Westchester contingent. 

On July 20 Theodore Sedgwick, 
brigade major, makes requisition on 
Gen. George Clinton, "for 1,000 or 1,- 
500 musqetry cartridges." "If these 
can't be furnished, to send powder and 
ball if they are to be spared." 

Writing from Fort Montgomery un- 
der same date, (Clinton) notifies the 
commanding officers stationed below, 
to light beacon fires on prominent 
points, in order to notify him of the 
approach of the enemy. 

On August 1, following, he writes 
Captain Durland, "to take command 
cf two lieutenants and 72 privates, in- 
cluding non-commissioned officers, for 
the protection of the east shore of the 
river between King's Ferry up to 
Conklins." instructing him "to march 
immediately for Peekskill, and station 
one of your officers and one-third of 
your men. The same at Verplancks 
r.nd Kings Ferry." 

This order is somewhat ambiguous, 
Ijut doubtless it was Clinton's inten- 
tion to have Captain Durland occupy 
one of these stations for his headquar- 
ters, as circumstances might require. 

August 2, 1776, he complains in a 
letter to General Washington, "that 
^00 of the New England militia left 
Peekskill and returned home without 
•riving me the least notice." 

On the 9th of the same month, from 
Fort Montgomery he orders Lieut. Col. 
Thomas Jansen, "to march to Peeks- 
kill, with his regiment, "and promises 



52 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 

to meet him there. and also 100 men of the militia on the 

On the 12th, Clinton writes from the north side of the Highlands to march 

Croton River (presumably at Van to Peekskill." 

Cortlandt's), placing Major Thompson Col. Pierre Van Cortlandt, vice- 
"in command at Fort Independence, president of the committee of safety, 
and sends fous companies of his (Clin- writes to George Clinton from Fish- 
ton's) brigade to Garrison same." kill, Nov. 2, 1776, about clothing for 

The reader will note that General the troops. Clinton at this time was 
Clinton was a very busy man, that he with the American army near White 
possessed unusual executive and mili- Plains. It was about this time that 
tary ability. He inspired those about George Clinton wanted to resign, 
him with confidence, and his influence John McKesson, one of the commit- 
over the raw levies, which composed tee, a staunch friend of Clinton and 
the greater part of the force under a true patriot, tries to dissuade the 
his command, was excelled by none. general from pressing the matter in 
The trust reposed in him by the gen- a gossippy letter, dated Nov. 3. In 
tlemen who constituted the "Conven- this letter he incidentally remarks, 
tion of Representatives" from this "that Mrs. Clinton would like to see 
state is sufficiently shown by the great the enemy routed." 
power they vested in him by a unani- General Clinton furnishes a list of 
mous vote, as will be shown hereafter, heroes 
— S. D. H. 

TT ., ^ ^ ^ „ ^-, , Peekskill, Nov. 14, 1776. 

Under date of Roa Hook, near 
Peekskill, Aug. 20, 1776, Major Thomp- ^ list of the officers of Colonel Du- 
son reports to General Clinton of the l^oy's regiment, and who served last 
progress of the defenses at Fort In- campaign in Canada: 
dependence, under the directions of Lieut. Col. Jacobus S. Bruyn, Cap- 
Lieutenant Machin, the engineer of- tains Elias Van Bunschoten, Thomas 
ficer. DeWitt, Cornelius T. Jansen, James 

The major incloses "morning report" Gregg, Albert Pawling and Charles 

Company. Capt. Lieut. Sergt. Corp. Drum'r. Fifer. Privt. 

Capt. Nicholls 1 2 3 3 1 1 50 

Capt. Derunders 1 2 3 3 1 .. 41 

Capt. Underdunk.... 1 2 3 3 1 1 45 

3 6 9 9 3 2 136 

Sick 1 1 . . . . . • 13 

Fit tor duty 3 5 8 9 '3 2 123 

"Out of the above number we are Graham: Lieutenants Henry Dodge, 
obliged to mount a 'sergeant's guard Henry Vandeburgh, Nathaniel Conklin 
of ten men at Peekskill to guard the ^^d Evans Wherry; Ensigns Samuel 
ammunition at that place. We have English and Surgeon John Coats, 
very poor accommodations for the sick Peekskill Threatened. 
and no doctor. We hope we will be November 21 Capt. ' Chas.* DeWitt 
remembered." writes to General Clinton that "Gen- 
October 10, 1776, the "Committee of eral Heath, by express, sent a letter 
Safety," then in session at Fishkill, to Mr. (Van) Cortlandt, (Pierre), 
adopted the following: which arrived about one o'clock last 
"Resolved, That the commanding of- night; that the enemy had landed on 
ficer of the militia of Ulster send down the west shore * * * and desires you 
300 men to Peekskill well armed and without any loss of time to repair 
accoutred with three days' provisions, down to Peekskill." 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



53 



Ways and Means. 

From the minutes of the committee 
on the arrangement of the New York 
Continental Regiments, Nov. 21, 1776: 

"Resolved, that every person within 
this state (New York), who is ex- 
empt from military duty (for various 
reasons), be enrolled with the colonel 
of the regiment within whose beat they 
reside and be by him classed either 
by lot or otherwise, five in each class, 
and that each class procure, by the 
first day of June next, one man to en- 
list in the Continental service for three 
years, or during the war. Or in lieu 
thereof pay to the colonel, or the 
commanding officer of the regiment in 
which they are enrolled, the sum of 
fifty dollars to be paid by him to the 
treasurer of this state." 

Persons over sixty years of age, and 
whose real and personal estate were 
less than three hundred pounds, and 
ministers of the Gospel, were exempt. 
Neglect Or refusal to comply with the 
terms of the first resolution laid the 
offenders liable to "levy of the said 
sum of 50 dollars" by distress and 
sale of (the) goods of such persons. 
Those complying with the terms were 
entitled "to receive a certificate from 
the Justice of the Peace, before whom 
such soldier was sworn, countersigned 
by the recruiting officer to whom the 
same was delivered." 

The following letter has a local in- 
terest: 

Peekskill, 24th Nov., 1776. 
Gentlemen — 

I am just informed that Lieut. Col. 
Hurlbert has gone to Long Island, and 
that it is very improbable that he will 
accept of his commission. Should this 
be the case, I must beg leave to recom- 
mend Major Fish as the most eligible 
person I can think of as major to my 
regiment. He is a young man of spirit 
and ability. * * * As we are at a loss 
for a chaplain, it may not be improper 
to acquaint you that one Mr. John 
Peter Tetar (d), a clergyman and gen- 
tleman, who had seen service in Can- 
ade, is very desirous of being ap- 
pointed chaplain, &c., &c. 



The goodness of his disposition 
and his attachment to General Mont- 
gomery induces me to solicit his ap- 
pointment. 

Henry B. Livingston, 
Colonel 4th N. Y. Regt., 

cd Fore. 
To the Com. of Safety. 



Extracts from the Memoirs of Wm. 
irejith, Xajor. General in the Revo- 
lutionary War: 

November 8, 1776, Gen. (Wm.) Heath 
was ordered to march with his division 
to Peekskill. On the 9th the division 
moved from near White Plains, and 
same night halted at North Castle. 
The next morning the march was re- 
sumed, and the division reached 
Peekskill that afternoon and went 
into camp. 

General Washington also arrived 
here on the same afternoon, about sun- 
set. On the 11th the commander-in- 
chief directed General Heath to ac- 
company him in taking a view of Fort 
Montgomery, and the other works up 
the river. Lord Stirling, Generals 
James and George Clinton, General 
Mifflin and others were of the com- 
pany. 

12th. The commander-in-chief di- 
rected our general (Heath) to ride 
early in the morning with him, to 
reconnoiter the grounds at the gorge 
of the Highlands, and on his return, 
gave him the command of the troops 
and posts in the Highlands, on both 
sides of the river, with written in- 
structions to secure and fortify them 
with all possible expedition, making 
a distribution of his troops to the dif- 
ferent posts, and at about 10 o'clock 
a. m. General Washington crosses 
over the river into the Jersies. In 
this distribution Parson's brigade was 
sent to the south entrance of the 
Highlands, beyond Robinsons Bridge, 
and General George Clinton's brigade, 
to the heights above Peekskill Land- 
ing, as well as General Scott's brigade. 

General Heath's headquarters were 
at Peekskill, which General Washing- 
ton considered a place of great strate- 
gic importance. 



54 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



On November 21st Heath received 
the following from General Charles 
Lee: "I must therefore desire and 
request that you will order corps, un- 
der a brigadier general, and cross the 
river opposite the general (Washing- 
ton) and wait his further orders, &c." 

To this General Heath, not to be 
caught napping, replied as follows: 
Peekskill, Nov. 21, 1776, 

10 o'clock at night. 
Dear General: — 

I am now to acknowledge the re- 
ceipt of your favors, of this date, the 
former of which I had answered early 
in the evening. With respect to the 
latter, upon having recourse to my 
instructions, I find they are such as 
not to admit of moving any part of 
the troops from the posts assigned to 
me unless it be by express orders from 
his Excellency, or to support you in 
case you are attacked. My instruc- 
tions, among other things, are as fol- 
lows: "Your division, with such 
troops as are now at Forts Montgom- 
ery, Independence and Constitution 
are to be under your command, and 
remain in this quarter, for the secur- 
ity of the above posts, and the passes 
through the Highlands, from this 
place, and the one on the other side 
of Hudson's River. Unnecessary it is 
for me to say anything to evince the 
importance of securing the land and 
water communication through these 
passes, or to prove the indispensable 
necessity of using every exertion in 
your power, to have such works erect- 
ed for the defence of them, as your 
own judgment, assisted by that of your 
brigadiers and engineer, may shov/ 
the expediency of." 

"You will not only keep in view the 
importance of securing these passes, 
but the necessity of doing it without 
delay; not only from the probability 
cf the enemy's attempting to seize 
them, but from the advanced season 
which will not admit of any spade 
work after the frost (which may daily 
be expected) sets in." 

"Lose not a moment, therefore, in 
f^lico3in<?; the grounds on the east and 
vest side of the river, on which your 



intended works are to be erected. Let 
your men designed for each post be 
speedily allotted," &c. 

After instructions so positive and 
pressing, you will readily agree that 
it would be very improper for me to 
order any of the troops from posts to 
which they are so expressly assigned, 
and from business which in his Excel- 
lency's view is so important. Add to 
this, their present disposition is such, 
that to collect anything near the num- 
ber you mention, would occasion as 
great delay, and cause many of them 
to march nearly as far, as if sent 
immediately from your quarter." 

I am, dear general, with esteem. 
Yours respectfully, 

(Signed) W. Heath. 
General Lee. 

This did not satisfy General Lee, 
who replied to Heath as follows: 

"Camp, Nov. 23, 1776. 
"Sir: 

By your mode of reasoning, the 
General's instructions are so binding, 
that not a little must be broke through 
for the salvation of the General and 
the army. 

I have ordered Glover's brigade to 
march up towards Peekskill, to put 
the passage of the Highlands out of 
danger; but I intend to take 2,000 
from your division with me into the 
Jersies; so I must desire you will 
have that number in readiness by the 
day after to-morrow, when I shall be 
with you early in the forenoon. 

And am, sir, 

Your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) Charles Lee. 
Major General Heath. 

By this time one can imagine that 
General Heath was somewhat ruffled. 
Whatever his secret thoughts may 
have been, he despatches this cour- 
teous reply to Lee, then in camp near 
Dobbs Ferry: 

•Peekskill, Nov. 24, 1776. 
"Sir: 

"Be my mode cf reasoning as it 
m"y, I conceive it to be my duty to 
obey my instructions, especially those 
which are positive and poignant, and 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



55 



that to deviate from them even in ex- 
treme cases, would be an error; 
though perhaps an error on the right 
side. 

I can assure you, sir, that I have 
the salvation of the General and army 
so much at heart, that the least recom- 
mendation from him to march my di- 
vision, or any part of them, over the 
i-iver, should have been instantly 
obeyed, without waiting for a positive 
order. My conduct must be approved 
or censured, as I adhere to or depart 
from my orders; and, as it is my duty, 
I shall strictly abide by them, until 
they are countermanded in such man- 
ner as will justify a deviation from 
them, to him who instructed me and 
to the world. 

I shall be happy in being honored 
■with your company to-morrow; 

And am, with respect and esteem. 
Your humble and obedient servant, 

(Signed) W. Heath. 
General Lee." 

General Heath was a most con- 
scientious officer, and fearing that per- 
haps Washington may have needed 
help, sent the following letter to the 
Commander-in-Chief by special mes- 
senger. The former says, "The ex- 
press was directed to make the ut- 
most dispatch out and returning, 
which he effected on the 26th." 

Peekskill, Nov. 24, 1776. 
Dear General: 

I some days since presented to your 
Excellency the disposition of the 
troops at this post. I have not as yet 

received your Excellency's express 
approval or disapprobation. I am en- 
deavoring to complete the business 
your Excellency assigned to me, as 
soon as possible. On the 21st instant, 
I received a letter from General Lee, 
a copy of which is enclosed. I re- 
turned him for an answer, that my 
division was posted at important pas- 
ses and with such positive and pres- 
sing instructions from your Excellency 
that I dare not remove them without 
your express orders; which was also 
the opinion of my brigadier generals, 
that it would be extremely hazardous. 
The last evening I received another 



letter from him, which I also enclose. 
It needs no comment. 

I still conceive myself bound by 
your Excellency's instructions, and 
that the importance of this post is 
enhanced by the enemy's having pos- 
session of Fort Lee and thereby se- 
cured to themselves the entire navi- 
gation of Hudson's River up to this 
place. Should the number of troops 
mentioned by General Lee be drawn 
from this post, there would not be 
more than four hundred men, exclus- 
ive of the garrisons of the forts, left 
on this side of the river. I consider 
myself accountable for the post, be- 
ing so expressly instructed by your 
Excellency, and shall most strictly ad- 
here to them until countermanded by 
your Excellency's orders, or of a sig- 
nification of your Excellency's pleas- 
ure that I am to obey such orders as 
I shall receive from some other of my 
senior officers; which alone I think, 
can warrant a departure from my in- 
structions. I wish also to know your 
excellency's pleasure as soon as agree- 
able to you, as it may prevent alter- 
cation and confusion. I beg leave also 
to acciuaint your Excellency that the 
time to which the garrisons of Fort 
Montgomery and Constitution are en- 
gaged expires (except as to three hun- 
dred and twenty-eight privates) in six 
days, as does that of General Scott's 
whole brigade and Colonel Tash's 
regiment. I cannot conclude without 
observing that General Lee, in his 
first letter to me, mentions that he has 
received a recommendation, not a posi- 
tive order, to move the corps under 
his command to the other side of the 
river, and yet, although he did not 
think it obligatory on himself, in the 
second letter he positively orders me 
'0 hold two thousand of my division 
i:i readiness to march with him across 
the river, directly contrary to my In- 
^"'uctions, extracts of which I had fur- 
nished him with. 

I have the honor to be, with great 
respect. 

Your Excellency's most humble serv- 
ant, 

(Signed) W. Heath. 
"His Excellency General Washington. 



56 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Some time during the 24th Heath 
gave orders "for Clinton's and Scott's 
brigades to hold themselves in readi- 
ness to march to Jersey side." These 
orders were issued as a matter of pre- 
caution, as it might devolve that 
Washington was in need of help. 
General Heath's mind was set at rest 
by the receipt of the following: 

Newark, Nov. 25, 1776. 
"Dear General: 

1 am directed by his Excellency to 
acknowledge his receipt of your letter 
of yesterday, and to inform you, the 
disposition of the troops mentioned in 
your former, has his approbation. 

In respect to the troops intended to 
come to this quarter, his Excellency 
never meant that they should be from 
your division. He has wrote General 
Lee since, so fully and explicitely 
upon the subject that any misappre- 
hensions he may have been under at 
first must now be done away. He will 
most probably have reached Peekskill 
before now, with his division and be 
pushing to join us. 

No new event has taken place. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 
(Signed) R. H. Harrison. 
Maj. Gen. Heath." 

Nov. 25th. Scott's brigade was or- 
dered over to Haverstraw. 

29th. "Two of the regiments of 
General Clinton's brigade were order- 
ed to move to Fort Constitution, in 
order to attempt the forming of ob- 
structions in the river near Polipins 
(Pollopel's) Island. 

30th. "Just before dinner, General 
Sullivan arrived at our General's quar- 
ters; and in the afternoon General 
Lee arrived. He called at the door; 
when our General waiting upon him, 
requested him to alight, he asked if 
he could have a cup of tea? and was 
answered that he should have a good 
one. Upon coming into the house, be- 
fore he sat down, he wished to speak 
in private, which being instantly 
granted, he told our General that in a 
military view, or, to use his own words 
exactly, "In point of law, you are 
ri^ht, but in point of policy I think 



you are wrong.. I am going into the 
Jersies for the salvation of America. 
I wish to take with me a larger force 
than I now have, and request you to 
order 2,000 of your men to march with 
me." Our General answered that "he 
could not spare that number." He 
was then asked to order 1,000, to 
which he replied, "that the business 
might as well be brought to a point 
at once — that not a single man should 
march from the post by his order. Gen. 
Lee replied, that he would then order 
them himself." He was answered that 
there was a wide difference between 
the two; that General Lee was ac- 
knowledged by our General to be his 
senior; but as he had received posi- 
tive written instructions from him, 
who was superior to both, he would 
not himself break those orders. If 
General Lee was disposed to counter- 
act them, it being done by him could 
not be imputed to any other person; 
and that he knew the Commander-in- 
Chief did not intend any of the troops 
should be removed from that post, — 
having expressed it not only in his 
instructions, but also in a letter just 
received from him. The letter on be- 
ing shown to General Lee, he observ- 
ed, "The Commander-in-Chief is now 
at a distance and does not know what 
i3 necessary as well as T do." Asked 
if he might be favored with the re- 
turn book of the division. Major Hunt- 
ington, the Deputy Adjutant General, 
was directed to hand it. General Lee 
ran his eye over it, and said, "I will 
take Prescott's and Wyllys's regi- 
ments," and turning to Major Hunting- 
ton, said, "You will order those two 
regiments to march early to-morrow 
morning to join me." 

Our General, turning to the Major 
said, "Issue such orders at your peril," 
end turning to General Lee, addressed 
him: "Sir, if you come to this post, 
and mean to issie orders here, which 
will break these positive ones which 
I have received, I pray you to do it 
completely and through your own 
Deputy Adjutant General, who is pres- 
ent, and not draw me, or any of my 
family in as partners in the guilt." 
General Lee replied, "It is right, Col- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870 



57 



onel Scammell do you issue the or- 
ders;" which he did, and Huntington 
communicated it to the regiments, 
who were now posted at the gorge of 
the mountains near Robinsons Bridge, 
afterwards called the Continental Vil- 
lage. Matters carried thus far, our 
General turned to General Lee again: 
"Sir, I have one more request to make, 
and that is, that you will be pleased 
to give me a certificate, that you ex- 
ercise command at this post, and do 
order from it Prescott's and Wyllys's 
regiments." Lee replied, "I do not 
know that I will comply with your 
request." Gen. Clinton, who was pres- 
ent, observed,. "General Lee, you can 
not refuse a request so reasonable." 
Upon which General Lee wrote as fol- 
lows: 

Peekskill, Dec. 1, 1776. 
"For the satisfaction of General 
Heath, and at his request, I do certify, 
that I am commanding officer, at this 
present writing, in this post, and that 
1 have in that capacity, ordered Pres- 
cott's and Wyllys's regiments to 
march. 

(Signed) Charles Lee, 

Major General." 

[The details of this episode are as 
given in Heath's Memoirs, p. 86, et 
seq., and written by that worthy man. 
The reader will note the term, "Our 
General" in writing of himself, a habit 
due to his innate modesty. His con- 
duct at this time shows him to have 
been a man of great firmness and de- 
cision of character, and fearless in the 
discharge cf the trust committed to 
his keeping. — S. D. H.] 

"General Lee, stepping out on the 
piazza, observed to an officer, "General 
Heath is right." 

Early the next (?) morning the regi- 
ments moved from their cantonment 
towards Peekskill, but before they had 
reached it General Lee, now ready to 
pass into the Jersies, rode up to our 
General's door and calling him, ob- 
served, "Upon further consideration, 
I have concluded not to take the two 
regiments with me. You may order 
them to return to their former post." 



This conduct of General Lee's ap- 
peared not a little extraordinary, and 
one is almost at a loss to account for 
it. He had been a soldier from his 
youth, had a perfect knowledge of 
service in all its branches, but was 
rather obstinate in his temper and 
could scarcely brook being crossed in 
anything in the line of his profession. 
General Lee took with him into the 
Jersies some as good troops as any in 
the service; but many of them were 
so destitute of shoes, that the blood 
left on the rugged frozen ground in 
many places marked the route they 
had taken; and a considerable number 
were left at Peekskill unable to march. 
The following remarkal)le letter does 
not appear to be referred to in the 
Memoirs. (Mass. Hist. Socy.). It is 
here given, as it throws a very inter- 
esting sidelight on the character of 
Charles Lee. It is worth presenting 
at this time in connection with the 
entire correspondence. Viewed by 
present standards, it appears on the 
part of General Lee more like the 
chiding of a refractory pupil by an 
offended schoolmaster, than the ser- 
ious attempt of an officer of high 
rank, to impeach the motives of an- 
other of equal station, in order to ex- 
cuse his attempt to persuade the lat- 
ter to disobey the positive and writ- 
ten orders of the superior of both. 

General Heath comes out of the con- 
troversy with fiying colors. — S. D. H. 

Camp Phillipsburg, Nov. 26, 1776. 
Sir: 

I perceive that you have formed an 
opinion to yourself that the instruc- 
tions he left with you upon a particu- 
lar occasion have, to all intents and 
purposes invested you with a com- 
mand separate from, and independent 
of, any other superior; that General 
Heath and General Lee are merely 
two major generals, who perhaps 
ought to hold a friendly intercourse 
with each other, and when their hu- 
mor or fancied interest prompts, may 
afford mutual assistance; but that 
General Heath is by no means to con- 
sider himself obliged to oliey any or- 
ders of the second in command. This 



58 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 



idea of yours, sir, may not only be 
prejudicial to yourself but to the 
public. 

I could wish, sir, before things go 
any further, you would correct the 
notion. I enjoined you to send two 
thousand men over the river, and in- 
formed you that I would replace them 
with an equal number. 

This was the only mode in my pow- 
er of complying with the instructions 
of the general, but it seems your dan- 
ger was so immense, and your instruc- 
tions so positive, that, instead of tak- 
ing a step which both duty and com- 
mon sense cictated, you are so kind 
as to advise me to send the troops 
from hence; the two days march to 
Peekskill, and the want of wagons, 
with the badness of the roads, making 
no sort of difference. But I must in- 
form you, sir, that we could not have 
been (such are our circumstances) in 
less than five days at Peekskill ; and 
the five days may turn the fate of an 
empire. 

If any misfortune should happen 
from this refusal, you must answer 
for it. If any misfortune had hap- 
pened to your post by the detachment 
cf those two thousand men from your 
corps, the blame would have fallen 
upon me. 

But enough on this subject. I shall 
therefore conclude, that the Comman- 
der-in-Chief is now separate from us; 
that I, of course, command on this 
side of the water; that, for the fu- 
ture, I will and must be obeyed. 

I am, sir, your most obedient serv- 
ant, 

(Signed) Charles Lee. 
To Major General Heath, Peekskill." 
Dec. 1st. 

The time of service for which Gen- 
eral Scott's brigade was engaged to 
serve, expired when the whole, except 
50, went home. Nothwithstanding the 
generous encouragement of their state 
(New York) if they would continue 
one month longer. 

2d and 3d. General Lee's troops 
were passing the ferry (Kings). Gen- 
eral Heath incidentally states that 
"General Carleton (Sir Guy) having 



returned into Canada, a number of 
General Gate's regiments were now 
moving to reinforce General Wash- 
ington, their van as far as Morris- 
town (N. J.) the enemy as far as 
Brunswick." 

"On the evening of the 9th, our Gen- 
eral received orders from the Com- 
mander-in-Chief to move over the Hud- 
son with Parson's brigade, and to 
move on so as to give protection to the 
country and vigor to the cause in 
Jersey. 

10th. A little after noon. Parson's 
brigade marched down to King's 
Ferry, the greatest aertness having 
been discovered by both officers and 
men on the occasion. 

11th. About eleven o'clock a. m., 
our General left Peekskill and pro- 
ceeded for the Jersies; on crossing 
King's Ferry, gave orders for the flag 
to be detained from returning until 
further orders. 

[Heath here refers to "A flag 
schooner that came up to Peekskill on 
the 8th from New York, having on 
board among others. Rev. Dr. Charles 
Inglis, of Trinity Church, New York 
city (an undaunted tory). — S. D. H.] 

12th. Early in the morning the 
troops took up their line of march 
from Haverstraw, and before sunset 
reached Tappan. 

Gen'l Heath with the troops under 
his Command, remained in the above 
neighborhood, making several incur- 
sions towards Hackensack, until the 
18th, when "The Convention of New 
York, greatly alarmed at the removal 
of our General with the Continental 
troops from the important passes of 
the Highlands, sent a request to Gen. 
Washington, desiring that they might 
be ordered back again. To insure dis- 
patch they offered the express extra 
pay. 

The Commander-in-Chief was pleas- 
ed to grant their request, and ordered 
our General to return to Peekskill, and 
re-occupy his former position. 

In the meantime the position of 
Heath's division had been advanced 
to the neighborhood of Paramus, N. 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 



59 



J., and on the morning of the 22d the 
march was begun for Peekskill — via. 
Ramapo, and Clark's Town — which 
was reached about sun-set. 

23d. The troops took up their line 
of march, crossed tlie Hudson and ar- 
rived at Peekskill. 

24th. Gave permission for the flag 
to return to New York, having on 
board the families of Mr. Inglis, 
Moore, &c. 

30th. Col. Chester of Connecticut, 
arrived at Peekskill, from Gen. Wash- 
ington's Camp, with the agreeable 
news, that on the preceding Thursday 
morning, being the 26th, Gen. Wash- 
ington, at the head of about 3,000 men, 
crossed the Delaware, and attacked 
the enemy at Trenton, being about 
1,600 Hessians, and in about 35 min- 
utes entirely defeated them. One 
Colonel, 2 Lieutenant-Colonels, 3 
Majors, 4 Captains, 8 Lieutenants, 12 
Ensigns, 1 Judge Advocate, 2 Sur- 
geon's Mates, 92 Sergeants, 20 Drum- 
mers, 9 Musicians, 25 officer's servants 
and 740 rank and file were taken pris- 
oners beside the killed and wounded. 
Six pieces of brass cannon, 12 drums, 
4 standards, 1,200 small arms, 6 wag- 
ons, a number of swords, caps, &c., 
were the trophies of Victory. 

The same day. Col. Sparhawk's regi- 
ment of Militia arrived from Massa- 
chusetts. 

1777, Jany. 3d. "Thirty-seven re- 
cruits going to Rogers, (1) taken the 
preceding night were brought in; and 
our General ordered out Capt. Graham 
at 12 o'clock at night to intercept an- 
other gang." 

(1) Robt. Rogers, a hero of the "old 
French War," Governor of Michilli- 
mackinac; fought in Algiers, returned 
to America, and took the Tory side, 
becoming Colonel of the "Queen's 
Rangers," a partisan organization, 
whose field of operations was very 
largely in the lower part of this 
County. During French and Indian 
War he was captured by a band of 
savages on the shore of Lake George. 
Rogers escaped by sliding down a 
precipitous rock, which is known to 



this day as "Roger's Slide." 

4th. Gen. Lincoln arrived from 
Massachusetts . He had come on with 
a body of Militia. 

5th. Col. Sparhawk's regiment of 
Militia from Massachusetts, with two 
field pieces, marched from King's 
Ferry, on their way to the Jersies. 

7th. Our General received the fol- 
lowing letter from Gen. Washington. 
Pluckemin, Jany 5, 1777. 

Sir. We have made a successful at- 
tack on Princeton, General Howe ad- 
vanced upon Trenton; we evacuated 
the town, and lay at the other side of 
Mill Creek until dark; then stole a 
march, and attacked Princeton about 
9 o clock in the morning. There were 
three regiments quartered there. The 
killed, wounded and prisoners taken 
amounted to about 500. The enemy 
are in great consternation; and as the 
present affords us a favorable oppor- 
tunity to drive them out of the Jer- 
sies, it has been determined in Coun- 
cil, that you should move down to- 
wards New York, with considerable 
force, as if you had a design upon that 
City ; that being an object of great im- 
portance, the enemy will be reduced 
to the necessity of withdrawing a con- 
siderable part of their force from the 
Jersies, if net the whole to secure the 
City. I shall draw the force on this 
side the North River together at Moi'- 
ristown, where I shall watch the mo- 
tions of the enemy, and avail myself 
of every circumstance. 

You will retain 4,000 of the militia 
coming from the New England Gov- 
ernments for the expedition. You will 
act with great precaution, but avail 
yourself of every favorable opportun- 
ity of attacking the enemy, when you 
can do ii; to advantage. Gen. Lincoln 
must cross the North River, and come 
en with the remainder of the militia 
to Morristown. Leave a sufficient 
guard at the Highlands. 

You will also have as many boats 
collected together, or in such a man- 
ner as you may always avail yourself 
of them, if it should be found expe- 
dient for your troops or any part of 



60 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 



them to cross the North River, at 
Dobbs Ferry, or any other of the land- 
ings." 

I am, (fee, 
(Signed) Geo. Washington, 
Gen. Heath." 

Preparations for the before men- 
tioned movement were immediately 
put in train. Tlie militia and volun- 
teers were coming in. 

8th. Gen. Parson's went down to 
King Street. 

9th. The remainder of Col. Spar- 
hawk's and Col. Whitney's regiments 
passed over the river, to join Gen. 
Washington. 

10th. Col. Frost's regiment march- 
ed to North Castle, and Gen. Scott's 
militia to White Plains. 

11th. A number of British officers, 
taken at Princeton, passed Peek's Kill, 
on their way to Connecticut. 

12th. Gen. Moulton, from Massa- 
chusetts, and Col. Gilman, from New 
Hampshire, came to Camp. A num- 
ber of British prisoners taken in the 
Jersies, passed Peek's Kill on their 
way to Connecticut. 

13th. Our General moved to the 
Southward, and reached North Castle, 
just before sunset, where he found 
four regiments had arrived, and Gen. 
Scott's Militia of New York, had moved 
down to Wright's Mills. 

Note. — Here we will take leave of 
Gen. Heath for a few days, as space 
forbids our following his interesting 
movements while attempting to carry 
out the orders of Gen. Washington. 
Heath was away from Peekskill until 
Feby. 10th. Aside from harassing the 
British outposts that extended from 
King's Bridge on the West to Wil- 
liam's Bridge on the East, he seems 
to have inflicted no serious damage. 
He failed to accomplish the purpose 
of the movements, which was by mak- 
ing a serious demonstration against 
New York City, to cause Gen. Howe 
to abandon the pursuit of Washington. 

In justice to Heath it should be said 
that his movements were much imped- 
ed by the heavy storms of snow and 



rain, which fell during the inclement 
season. Heath overrated the strength 
of his opponents, and lack of confi- 
dence in the militia, which composed 
nearly all his forces. He, however, 
secured great quantities of forage, 
which came in most opportunely. 

Feby. 10th. Our General rode to 
Peek's Kill, where he arrived a little 
after dark. Gen. Lincoln's troops 
were on the march to join Gen. Wash- 
ington. 

Our General had obtained leave of 
the Commander-in-Chief, to make a 
short visit to New England, under an 
injunction to return very early. 

12th. About 10 o'clock, he left 
Peek's Kill, and arrived at his house 
in Roxbury on the 19th, about sunset. 

March 14th. Gen. Heath, left home, 
to resume his post at Peekskill. Near 
Watertown he was overtaken by an 
express with "orders from Gen. Wash- 
ington for him to take command of 
the Eastern Department." "He there- 
fore turned back and rode into Bos- 
ton." 

(In his Memoirs under date of April 
3d, he notes that, "Capt. Sumner, of 
Greaton's regiment, marched a detach- 
ment from his regiment for Peekskill. 

4th. A part of Col. Shepard's regi- 
ment marched for Peekskill. 

9th. About 120 men of Paterson's 
regiment marched for Peekskill. 

11th. A part of Nixon's regiment, 
on this date, and two hundred men of 
Col. Wigglesworth's regiment, on the 
16th, marched to Peekskill. The 
evening of the latter day he received 
orders from Gen. Washington to send 
the troops to Peekskill, by the route 
of Kinderhook. 

(From this time on Gen. Heath re- 
mains in Command in the Eastern De- 
partment, but on June 4, 1779, the 
scene changes. On this date he writes, 
"Our General received orders from 
Gen'l Washington to join the main 
army. He had before ordered all the 
heavy cannon at Boston, and Provi- 
dence, belonging to the United States, 
to be sent to the Hudson's River; they 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



61 



were sent on slung under two pairs 
of stout Cart wheels each, and were a 
ponderous load." 

He arrived at New Windsor June 
21st, and on the next day (22d) at- 
tended Gen. Washington to West 
Point. The same day Congress ap- 
pointed Gen'l Heath a "Commissioner 
to the Board of War," with a salary 
of $4,000 per annum. He absolutely 
declined the appointment. 

23d. Our General took command of 
the troops on the east side of the Hud- 
son, having in front all the outposts 
towards New York, on that side of the 
river. The British were now in pos- 
session of both the points at King's 
Perry; and a number of transports 
had laid in the river for some time. 
The advanced posts of the Americans 
did not extend lower than Peekskill; 
and a picket mounted every night on 
the south foot of Sugar Loaf Hill. 

On the morning of the 24th, about 
200 of the enemy's light horse came 
"up as far as Crom Pond, surprised two 
militia pickets, killed and took prison- 
ers about 30 men. About 130 light in- 
fantry of the enemy, at the same time, 
came out from Verplanck's Point, 
made an excursion round and then re 
turned. 

On the morning of the 2.5th the 
enemy's light horse, and about 1,000 
infantry were at Pine's Bridge. Our 
General ordered 200 light infantry, 
•under the command of Lieut. Colonel 
Grosvenor, to march to Robinson's 
Stores, (1) near (2) Marpoach Pond, 
to cover that quarter. 

(1) Robinson's Stores probably Red 
Mills; (2) Lake Mahopac. 

27th. A deserter came in from Ver- 
planck's, who reported that the British 
army, except five or six regiments, 
"were to leave the Point, and were then 
■enbarking. 

Soon after, upwards of 30 sail of 
transports were seen, standing down 
the river. The British had a sloop at 
anchor off Peekskill landing, and a 
ship off the Dunderberg. 

July 1st. Gen. Huntington's brigade 
moved down, and took post at the 



gorge of the mountains near Continen- 
tal Village. 

10th. About 6 o'clock p. m. our Gen- 
eral received orders from 



to march with the two Connecticut 
brigades, by the way of Crom Pond, 
towards Bedford. The next morninfi, 
although raining, the first brigade 
marched to the village. 

16th. Stony Point having been tak- 
en with so much eclat to the Ameri- 
can arms. Gen. Washington determin- 
ed an attempt on Verplanck's Point; 
on the east side of Hudson and op- 
posite to Stony Point; for this purpose 
Maj. Gen. Howe with two brigades and 
some 12 pounders on travelling car- 
riages, was ordered to proceed by the 
way of Peekskill, throw a bridge over 
the creek, move on to the Point and 
open batteries against the enemy's 
works, while a cannonade and bom- 
bardment was kept up across the river 
from Stony Point. 

17th. About 10 o'clock a. m. our 
General while out reconnoitering 
(near Bedford) received by an express 
from Gen. Washington, orders to move 
as expeditiously as possible to Peeks- 
kill, where he would find Gen. Howe, 
with two brigades. Our General was 
to take command of the whole, and to 
carry into effect the orders which had 
been given to Gen. Howe. Heath re- 
turned at once to his troops, and at 
12 o'clock began his march towards 
Peekskill. Marched until dark 15 
miles, when the troops halted and laid 
down to rest on the side of the road, 
the dragoons not unsaddling their 
horses. 

At 3 o'clock the next morning the 
troops resumed their march, and in 
the afternoon our General received in- 
formation from Gen. Howe, by express, 
that Gen'l (Sir Henry) Clinton wap in 
full march with his whole army for 
Verplanck's Point. An answer was 
returned, at what point the troops 
then were, and that they were march- 
ing as fast as men could endure, and 
would continue so until they reached 
him. When the troops had advanced 
a little to the westward of Drake's 



62 



FROM 1609 TO 187G. 



farm, Col. Moylan came up from Gen. 
Howe with information that a part of 
Clinton's army was then above New 
Bridge on Croton River, pushing for 
the Point, and that he, Howe, was re- 
treating from the Point as fast as pos- 
sible. On this our General ordered 
Gen. Huntington, with his brigade and 
two field pieces, to push forward as 
fast as the troops could march and 
keep in breath, and take a position on 
the high ground to the south of Peeks- 
kill, which commands the road to the 
point, and also that to the New Bridge, 
on Croton River; and ordered a regi- 
ment to file off to the right, and se- 
cure the pass over the hills be- 
tween Drake's and Peekskill, and also 
ordered the flank guard on the left 
to be reinforced, and to send out small 
flank guards still further from its 
flanks. The troops moving on with 
the greatest expedition to the ground, 
which Gen. Huntington had been or- 
dered forward to secure. Every mo- 
ment that passed was expected to an- 
nounce the commencement of an ac- 
tion between the advanced or flank- 
ing parties of the two armies, but it 
did not take place. At this moment 
Gen. Washington having learnt how 
matters stood, and that possibly Gen. 
Clinton might attempt to push into the 
Highlands, sent an express to our Gen- 
eral, to move into the Highlands im- 
mediately, which was done just after 
dark, the troops passing the night on 
Bald Hill. 

It was generally of the opinion that 
if our General had not been at hand 
to advance in the manner he did, that 
Gen. Clinton, by a forced march of 
his light troops backed by his army, 
would have got in the rear of Gen. 
Howe before he could have possibly 
gained the road at Peekskill, and be- 
tween his army and a sally from the 
garrison at Verplanck's Point inevit- 
ably cut off the whole. 

Our troops at Stony Point cannon- 
aded and bombarded the enemy's 
works at Verplanck's during the whole 
day, and until near midnight. The 
post was then evacuated, and the 
Washington galley blown up. 



The whereabouts of "Bald Hill" has 
been a subject of much conjecture. 
The most reasonable one being that 
the Bald Hill mentioned by Gen. 
Heath, is what is now known as "Gal- 
lows Hill." The former designation 
having been lost in the new. 

This seems to be borne out by a let- 
ter from Col. Rufus Putnam to Gen'l 
Parsons, as follows: 

"Collabergh, June ye 16, 1780. 
Dear General. 

Capt. Sergents letter of this day 
signifying your Pleasure that I should 
Return to the vilage (Meaning Con- 
tinental Village) is before me. 

I shall be there before Morning, at 
least as far as Peek's Kill or the Bald 
Hill * * * except a Scout which are 
below I shall notofie Colo. Miller of 
my withdrawal — the last accounts 
from Below is that the prisoners were 
Removed out of the Shugar House on 
Board of Ship. The air is clear and 
no Vessels appear in the River. I am 
Dear Gen yr Humble Servt. 

Rufus Putnam. 

Memoirs of Rufus Putnam, pp. 163, 
164. 

19th. The troops moved from Bald 
Hill, Parson's bridge to Robinson's, 
Huntingtons and Patersons to Nel- 
sons, (now Garrisons) and Nixons to 
the gorge of the mountains. 

20th. By a new disposition of the 
American army, on this day, our Gen- 
eral was to command the left wing; it 
then consisted of two regiments of 
horse, and two divisions of infantry. 

22d. Two deserters came in from 
Verplanck's Point, reported that the 
British had again taken possession of 
Stony Point, and were repairing the 
works. 

On the 26th, four deserters came in 
from the enemy. 

On the 28th, four, the 29th. two. the 
30th. three and the 31st. three. 

August 1st, three. 2d. six, iith. three 
from Verplanck's Point. They report- 
ed that the garrison, except 400 men. 
were to remove to New York. 

9th. Four deserters, on the 10th. 
two, the 14th two deserters from the 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 



63 



33d regiment came in; and four pris- 
oners taken near Sing Sing were sent 
up. These were followed on the 17th 
by three, and on the 18th by seven, 
(in all 48 since the 22d of July). 

19th. 23 wagon loads of forage were 
brought from the vicinity of Peeks- 
kill, covered by 250 men under the 
command of Lt. Col. Putnam. The 
galley and one of the enemy's gun- 
boats fired a number of cannon shot 
at the party, but did them no harm. 

20th. Two deserters came in from 
the enemy. 

21st. Two deserters came in. At 
night the enemy's guard boats came 
as far up as Anthony's Nose, and fired 
several shot at the Camp of the light 
infantry. 

23d. Three deserters came in from 
the enemy. The enemy burnt two 
houses belonging to the Lents, near 
Verplanck's Point. 

30th. Three deserters came in from 
Verplanck's Point; and a prisoner be- 
longing to the 33d regiment, taken by 
one of our patrolling parties was sent 
up. 

Note. — This made the total deser- 
tions from the enemy during August, 
forty, and since July 22d, fifty-eight. 

Sept. 4th. Three deserters; on the 
5th, two, and on the 9th, two came in. 
At this time the position of the Am- 
erican army in this vicinity is given 
by Gen. Heath as follows: "The light 
infantry at Fort Montgomery; the 
Maryland line, on the left of the light 
infantry; Pennsylvania line, and two 
brigades of Massachusetts, at West 
Point; North Carolina brigade, at 
Constitution Island; the Connecticut 
line, on the east side of the Hudson, 
between Nelson's and Robinson's; Nix- 
on's brigade at the gorge of the moun- 
tains, above the Continental Village; 
Glover's brigade, Moylan's, Sheldon's 
and Armand's horse, at Lower Salem." 
He adds, "On the west side of the Hud- 
son, besides Fort Clinton, at West 
Point, and Fort Putnam, on the hight 
built back of it, there were seven or 
eight redoubts, built and building. On 



the east side of the river, the north 
and middle redoubts, and a redoubt at 
the gorge of the mountains. 

13th. Four deserters came in from 
the enemy. 

14th. Just after reville, our General 
received orders to put Nixon's brigade 
under marching orders, which was 
done immediately. 

Gen. Howe was oi'dered to move 
with Glover's to Pine's Bridge and 
Nixons to join him. (These various 
bodies of troops were kept moving for 
several days, between South Salem 
and Pine's Bridge). 

19th. Two deserters came in from 
the enemy. Some appearances indi- 
cated an evacuation of Verplanck's 
Point. 

30th. The engineers, covered by a 
detachment of 300 men, reconnoitered 
the enemy's works at Verplancks; the 
enemy appeared to be much alarmed, 
and fired a number of cannon and 
small arms at our party, and a rein- 
forcement came over from Stony 
Point. 

Oct. 2d. Two deserters came in 
from the enemy. 

The enemy at Verplanck's Point 
opened a number of pits, about five 
feet deep, and four feet over, with a 
sharp stake in the middle, around the 
outside of the abatis. 

5th. The Sieur Gerard, the late 
French minister, came to Camp, and 
dined at headquarters. 

12th. Gen. Sir Henry Clinton and 
Col Robinson came up to Verplanck's 
Point, in the ship Fanny, and returned 
the next day; after which the work- 
men at the Point ceased working 

15th Seven deserters came in from 
Verplanck's Point; they reported that 
the enemy were putting their baggage, 
sick, the women, &c., on board the 
transport. 

From the 16th to the 21st five de- 
serters came in from Verplancks. On 
the latter date they report — "that the 
enemy were on the point of evacuating 
their works. 

The officers commanding the ad- 



64 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



vance picket soon after sent informa- 
tion, that the works appeared to be on 
fire, and the shipping standing down 
the river. Major Walbridge, who com- 
manded the advance picket, immedi- 
ately sent a detachment to take pos- 
session of the works. Several loaded 
shells left by the enemy, in places 
where the fire would come at them, 
burst, but did no harm. The enemy 
left one horse, a few old intrenching 
tools, and some other trifles at the 
Point, * * * Our General, lest there 
might be an attempt made on Gen. 
Howe's division, ordered a detachment 
of 500 men under the command of Col. 
Bradley, to march and take post, dur- 
ing the night, towards the New Bridge 
on the Croton River, to cover the right 
flank of Howe's division. 

24th. Col. Bradley's detachment re- 
turned to camp. The Colonel reported 
that he observed large quantities of 
forage and fruit in the fields between 
Verplanck's Point and Croton River. 
To secure the forage, and cover the 
communication by King's Ferry, Gen. 
Washington ordered our General to 
move down and encamp at Peekskill. 

27th. The Connecticut line moved 
down and encampel on the high 
ground to the southward of Peekskill, 
and Gen. Howe's division was ordered 
up to form a junction. 

29th. Gen. Howe's division formed 
a junction with the Connecticut line, 
and encamped with them. Strong fa- 
tigue parties were daily employed on 
the works evacuated by the enemy at 
Verplanck's and Stony Point. 

Nov. 25th. The soldiers were mov- 
ing to their different places on canton- 
ment; many of the soldiers, (as fine 
men as ever stood in shoes) were 
marclied barefooted over the hard, 
frozen ground, and with an astonish- 
ing patience. Remember these things, 
ye Americans, in future times! 

The Commander-in-Chief gave our 
General the command of all the troops 
on Hudson's River, which Gen. Wash- 
ington very frequently called the Key 
that locked the communication be- 
tween the eastern and Southern 



States; and of all the posts was the 
most important. Tliis was the second 
time tliat our General was designated 
to command them." 

Gen'l Heath continued in command 
as before noted, until Feby. 21st, 1780, 
when he was granted leave by Gen. 
Washington to visit his home in Rox- 
bury, Mass., where he arrived Feby. 
29th. The 8th of March following finds 
him at Boston. 

"The troops crossed the ferry and 
marched as far as Colonel Hays, at 
Haverstraw. Huntington's and Tyler's 
regiments were ordered to advance 
from Ramapo Bridge to Paramus. 
Our General received a letter from 
General Lee, in answer to the one he 
wrote on the 8th from Peekskill, as 
follows: 

Chatham, Dec. 9, 1776. 

"Dear General: 

I am very much obliged to you for 
your welcome tidings, and have only 
to beg that you will direct the regi- 
ments you speak of, to march with- 
out loss of time to Morristown. 

I sent an express to you last night, 
from the General, ordering your di- 
vision over the river, which I confess 
for my own part, I am heartily sorry 
for; as I think we shall be strong 
enough without you, and New Eng- 
land, with your district will be too 
bare of troops. I am in hopes here to 
re-conquer (if I may so express my- 
self) the Jersies. It was really in the 
hands of the enemy before my arrival. 
Adieu, dear sir, 
(Signed) Charles Lee. 
Maj. Gen. Heath." 

The foregoing letter appears very 
different from the former ones. 

These hopes were sadly dissipated 
within a few days. Four days after 
these words were written Lee was 
captured at Chatham, N. J., by a party 
of British light horse commanded by 
Colonel Harcourt, Lee's whereabouts 
having been made known to his cap- 
tors by a tory resident of the neigh- 
borhood. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



65 



Sidelights on Events Transpiring in 
this Yicinitj. Compiled from the 
Originiil Documents by a Former 
State ISistoriftn: 

Camp near Peekskill, 

Nov. 24, 1776. 
Gentlemen: 

When I consider the misfortunes 
of Rev. Mr. Tetard, I can not refrain 
from recommending him to your com- 
mittee, as I flatter myself you will 
pay some attention to his case in 
Forming the Staff of the New York 
Brigade. Our Provincial Congress 
were pleased to appoint to the offices 
of Chaplain and Interpreter with the 
Rank of Major in the Canada service. 
He will produce to you Genl. Arnold's 
Certificate as a Testimony of his good 
conduct. The losses he has met with 
since his return merit in my opinion 
no small attention. His House in the 
City which rented for 70 pounds per 
annum, with some valuable Furniture 
in it has been reduced to ashes. His 
farm in the County entirely destroyed 
by our own Troops, and thirteen 
slaves most probably captivated by 
the enemy. 

As to his political sentiments Col- 
lected not only from private Conver- 
sation but from his preaching he ap- 
pears to be a regular Friend of the 
American Cause. I must therefore in 
justice to him, take the Liberty to 
earnestly recommend him for the 
office of Chaplain in the New York 
Brigade. 

I am Gentlemen Your Most Obdt. 
Servt., 

Jno. Morin Scott. 
The Hon'ble Committee of Arrange- 
ments. 

P.S. Mr. Corne has met the Acci- 
dent of a breach in his Mill Dam. He 
has therefore requested me to inter- 
pose my good Offices for Continuing 
his stay on parole a week longer than 
was originally intended. 

Yours, &ca 

J. M. S. 
This Mr. Corne was at the time 
noted the owner of what is now 
known as Varian's Mills. They were 



built about 1762. It is surmised that 
Mr. Corne's loyalty to the Patriot 
Cause was somewhat in doubt. 

Peekskill, Nov. 30, 1776. 

Genl Heath, requests Genl Geo. 
Clinton to grant interview to Genl. 
Chas. Lee, on Dec. 1st. 

The next day from the same place 
Heath writes to Clinton, "that he has 
ordered Capt Dobbs to send you such 
Craft as he can procure, but which 
will be but few at present. 

Commissary Paulding is shy on 
Rum, but offers pork as a substitute 
for Salt. 

Peekskill, Dec. 2, 1776. 

Commissary William Paulding writes 
Genl Clinton that "Rum, at present 
Mr. Waterbury must supply you with, 
as I am short of that article at pres- 
ent — if Capt Tappan would in a day 
or two call on me I will supply him 
with some pork, which for the present 
will answer the place of Salt. 

To this on Dec. 4th, the doughty 
Clinton answers very tersely, "At any 
rate we must be supplied with Rum 
& Salt; these are two articles we can't 
do without & the first, considering 
that we are to work in the Water, is 
as absolutely necessary as the Latter." 

Peekskill, Dec. 6, 1776. 

Genl Wm Heath acknowledges re- 
ceipt of Genl. Geo. Clinton's letter of 
the 4th, and says, "Am surprised that 
the Smiths (blacksmiths) have not 
joyned you." He reports "that on the 
4th about sun set seventy Sail of Ships 
of War and Transports with Troops 
on Board sailed with a fair wind down 
the Sound. 

Dec. 12, 1776. The Committee of 
Safety by John McKesson, Secretary, 
directs "Colo. Malcom to proceed with 
his regiment to Peekskill." "That 
the Commanding officer at Peekskill, 
(Genl Heath) be requested to put Colo. 
Thomas with his regt. under Colo. 
Malcom — also the troops of Capts 
Delivan & Scribner. That Major 
Lockwood, be ordered to wait upon 
said Comanding officer at Peekskill. to 
Concert Measures with Colo. ■\Talcom 
& that he (Lockwood) be furnished 



66 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



with the sum of five hundred pounds 
for defraying tlie expenses of such ex- 
pedition. 

Note. Tliis was an expedition or- 
ganized for the purpose of driving out 
the Tory bands, which overran the 
lower part of Westchester County. 

On Dec. 21st The Convention at 
Fishlvill, directs "tliat Gen'l Geo. Clin- 
ton be put in command of the West- 
chester County Expeditionary forces." 

On Dec. 23, Gen'l Clinton writes 
from Ramepough, (Ramapo, N. J.) 
complaining about the inefficiency of 
the Commissaries, "and that many of 
the troops complain" "& threaten to 
go home." "It would be cruel as well 
as unjust to force them back to 
starve. Nor shall I have strength left 
to do it." 

(This gives one an idea of the suf- 
ferings which the patriot army en- 
dured from the incompetency and 
avarice of those who should have 
looked after its welfare. Had it not 
been for an over ruling Providence, 
the long struggle must have ended dis- 
astrously.) The writer continues, 
"Gen'l Heath marched yesterday for 
Peekskill, where he is with his Di- 
vision and all the Field pieces before 
this time." 

"Gen'l Lincoln, from Massachusetts 
Bay is at Danbury, or soon expected 
there on his way to Peekskill, with 
6000 men. 

From Peekskill, Dec. 29, 1776, Lieut 
Col. Roswell Hopkins, sends "pay Ab- 
stracts and Rolls for the months Nov. 
& Dec. with a pay abstract for 3 days 
for our Return home." 

N.B. "Our Abstracts are in Lawful 
money but some of the Rolls are Law- 
ful money & Some in York. (New 
York.) 

Jany. 1, 1777. It was resolved that 
the Militia of Westchester County, be 
apportioned at two tenths — of the 
quota for the State. 

2d — Is found this minute: Where- 
as ; the State of New York, had lately 
made six new brass field pieces, six 
pounders, for the defense of the State, 
which have been removed out of and 



at a distance from the State with the 
Continental Army, and the Committee 
of Safety are informed of General 
Heath is about to remove the field 
pieces now at Peekskill out of this 
State. Resolved that Major General 
Heath be requested to direct that an 
equal number of brass field pieces, 
six pounders, be left at Peekskill for 
the defence of this State if consistent 
with the public service, until those 
belonging to the State are returned 
or they may appear less necessary for 
its defence than at present. 
Fort Montgomery, Jany 2, 1777. 

Genl Geo. Clinton reports to the 
Pres't of the Council of Safety as fol- 
lows: 

Sir: In consequence of a letter this 
Day received from his Excellency Gen- 
eral M'^ashington, of which I enclose 
you a copy, I have issued orders to 
Colonels Brinckerhoff, Ludington, 
Humphreys and Freer, of Dutchess 
County to march their Regiments to 
Peekskill, to reinforce the army un- 
der General Putnam. And Colo Wood- 
hull, Allison, McClaughry and Has- 
brouck their Regiments to reinforce 
this Garrison, and Colo. Heathorn, his 
Regiment to the Post near Sydnams 
Bridge. 

1 have omitted sending similar or- 
ders to the Regiments in the Upper 
End of Ulster and Dutchess Counties 
lest the situation of affairs to the 
Northward might not admit of their 
coming this way, but should the 
Contrary be the Case, I beg the Coun- 
cil will order them to Peekskill and 
this Place." 

I am with due respect your most 
obedient servant, 

Geo. Clinton. 

The Committee of Safety having an 
idea it was better qualified to judge 
of the military situation than the Com- 
manding officer, wrote to Gen'l Heath 
to that effect. To this he courteously 
replies as follows: 

Peekskill, Feby. 11, 1777. 
Gentlemen: 

"The 1000 men which I have ordered 
to remain here Genl McDougall, thinks 
are full little enough for the several 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



67 



passes and forts. I have however de- 
sired him to afford you all the aid in 
his power by Sending a Guard to the 
Magazine, or otherwise as his Number 
will admit." (He further states that 
Genl Washington writes him in a let- 
ter received Feby 9th) "Proper places 
are pointed out already to Mr. Hughs 
at Peekskill for the Public Magazines, 
to them all stores of every kind must 
be removed, the forage and provisions 
taken by any of your parties conveyed 
thither. 



Peekskill Occupied by the Euemy — 
The Ameriv-aus Destroy Their Stores 
and Retreat to a Pass iu the High, 
lands. 

Fort Montgomery 24th March, 1777. 
Dear Sir: 

You have doubtless before this 
heard that a Considerable body of 
troops (generally supposed about 
1000)) landed at Peekskill yesterday 
about 12 o'clock. Genl McDougall not 
having numbers sufficient to oppose 
him with a probability of success, af- 
ter having removed the greater part 
of the stores, destroyed the rest and 
retreated to the North of Peekskill & 
now occupies the pass leading into the 
Highlands." 

Geo. Clinton. 
To Col A. Hawkes Hay. 

Of this affair Irving, in his "Life of 
Washington" (Vol. HI, pp. 30 to 32), 
gives this graphic account: 

"As soon as the Hudson was clear 
of ice, a squadron of vessels of war 
and transports, with five hundred 
troops under Colonel Bird, ascended 
the river. McDougall had intelligence 
of the intended attack, and while their 
ships were making their way across 
the Tappan Sea and Haverstraw Bay 
exerted himself to remove as much as 
possible of the provisions and stores 
to Forts Montgomery and Constitu- 
tion in the Highlands. On the morn- 
ing of the 23d, (March) the whole 
squadron came to anchor in Peekskill 
Bay; and five hundred men landed in 
Lent's Cove, on the south side of the 
bay, whence they pushed forward with 



four light field pieces drawn by 

sailors. 

On their approach McDougall set 
fire to the barracks and principal 
storehouses, and retreated about two 
miles to a strong post commanding the 
entrance to the Highlands, and the 
road to Continental Village, the place 
of the deposits. 

It was the post noted by Washington 
in the preceding year, where a small 
force cculd make a stand and hurl 
down masses of rocks on their assail- 
ants. Hence McDougal sent an ex- 
press to Lieutenant-Colonel Marinus 
Willett in Charge of Fort Constitu- 
tion to hasten to his assistance. 

The British, finding the wharf in 
flames where they had intended to 
embark their spoils, completed the 
conflagration, beside destroying sev- 
eral small craft laden with provisions. 
They kept possession of the place 
until the following day, when a scout- 
ing party, which had advanced toward 
the entrance to the Highlands, was en- 
countered by Colonel Marinus Willet 
with a detachment from Fort Consti- 
tution, and driven back to the main 
body after a sharp skirmish in which 
nine of the marauders were killed. 
Four more were killed on the banks 
of Canopus Creek as they were setting 
fire to some boats. The enemy were 
disappointed in the hope of carying 
off a great deal of booty, and finding 
the country around was getting under 
arms, they contented themselves with 
the mischief they had done, and re- 
embarked in the evening by moon- 
light, when the whole squadron swept 
down the Hudson. 

March 25, 1777. John McKesson, 
Secy writes to Genl Geo. Clinton, from 
Kingston, a short letter — also enclos- 
ing a set of Resolutions from the Con- 
vention giving him extraordinary 
powers — 

"Resolutions empowering General 
Geo. Clinton to Call out the whole 
or any part of the Militia of the Coun- 
ties of Dutchess, Ulster, Orange and 
Westchester, whenever he shall deem 
the same necessary, were read and 
agreed to, and are as follows: 



68 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



"Whereas this Convention hath 
great reason to apprehend that the 
enemy will make strenuous efforts to 
gain possession of the forts and passes 
in the Highlands, and to make incur- 
sions into and desolate the (above 
named Counties) and Whereas in the 
course of military operations the ex- 
igency of affairs may often render the 
calling into service all or part of the 
militia of tliose Counties so pressing 
as to render application to this Con- 
venient inexpedient, by reason of the 
distance they may be from the scene 
of action, as Avell as the delays which 
attend the deliberations of large 
bodies; And Whereas Brigadier-Gen- 
eral George Clinton, doth, by his com- 
mission, take rank of all the other 
brigadier generals in the counties 
aforesaid, and the Convention repos- 
ing great confidence in his integ- 
rity, prudence and Military Skill. 
Resolved: He is further author- 
ized and required, either on the 
request of his excellency General 
Washington, or at his own dis- 
cretion, to call into actual service all 
or any part or portion, of the Militia 
(as well horse as foot) in said coun- 
ties and make such disposition of 
them as may be most proper to frus- 
trate the designs of the enemy, and in 
securing the forts and passes afore- 
said. To be discharged when relieved 
by the Continental troops, or otlier 
contingency shall make their services 
unnecessary. 

He is also to render vouchers for 
the sums due the troops for their 
services, to be paid out of the treas- 
ury of the State. That he have power 
to employ Carriages, horses, teams, 
boats, vessels, and that he take care 
that the wages or hire due for the 
same be punctually paid, &c., &c." 

These powers delegated to him were 
to continue in force to Aug. 1, 1777. 

On April 1st Geo. Clinton writes to 
the Gen'l Washington from Fort Mont- 
gomery, acknowledgying receipt of his 
letter of March 23, and that in conse- 
quence (I ordered tlie tliird part of 
ye Militia of Orange County to guard 
the passes of the Highlands on the 
west side of Hudson's River, (and) to 



co-operate with the Militia under 
Gen'l Heard, in case the enemy sliould 
make any attempt in that quarter. 

On April 3d Clinton orders Col Mor- 
ris Graham of Dutchess "to Draft by 
ballot or other equitable manner one 
hundred and thirty-three men of your 
regiment & them completely armed & 
equipped, cause to march properly of- 
ficered, to Fort Independence near 
Peekskill, there to join the Field of- 
ficers appointed to Command tliem. 
The companies to consist as nearly as 
may be of sixty-two privates & to have 
a Captain & two Lieutenants. 

A Court Martial was convened at 
Peekskill, by order of Genl McDougall, 
on April 11, 1777, of which Col Philip 
Van Cortlandt was president and Capt 
Ben Walker Judge Advocate. One Si- 
mon Mabee, was charged with being 
"employed by the Enemy for the pur- 
pose of Inlisting men into their serv- 
ice & Consequently of being a Spy." 
He was found guilty, and sentenced 
to be hanged by the neck until he is 
dead." 

On the 14th the sentence was for- 
warded from Peekskill by Genl Mc- 
Dougal, to the Honorable Convention. 
The General closes his letter in these 
words: "I wish to be possessed of 
all the resolutions which inflict Death 
on the subjects of this State passed 
by its representatives." 

Another Court Martial similarly 
composed was held at the same place 
on the 13th, at which John Williams 
and John Babcock were tried on the 
same charge as Mabee, and Thos Bar- 
ker, charged with "having repaired to 
the Enemy's Ensign Standard and in- 
vited others to do the same. These 
three were acquitted. 

Anthony Hill charged with holding 
a treacherous Correspondence with 
the Enemy and employed by them for 
the purpose of enlisting men into their 
service was found guilty. 

Gen'l McDougall never had the satis- 
faction of receiving any "Resolutions" 
from the Convention, that body, it 
seems conceived that it has no author- 
ity to punish with death. So after 
keeping the prisoners in confinement 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



69 



until the close of hostilities, they were 
permitted to go Scot free. 

Headquarters Peekskill, 
April 21, 1877. 
Dear Sir: 

His Excellency the General (Wash- 
ington) informs me in a late letter 
that three deserters informed him that 
four regiments about 900 men were 
under orders at Staten Island to Em- 
bark on an Hour's Notice. From Cor- 
responding intelligence they must 
have been design'd by the solicitation 
of the Tories, to come up in search 
of wagons and recruits. Perhaps the 
movement of Troops from the East- 
ward to this Post, (as they will be 
advised of it) may prevent them. If 
that number come in two days we 
shall have our difficulties. However 
I hope to prevent some of them re- 
turning. None of the New York Mil- 
itia has yet appeared. The County be- 
low is much distressed. A Company 
of the N. E. Militia now there will 
leave them in a few days, their time 
of service expires the first of May. 
I wish I had one of N. York to replace 
them. The Enemy are getting sup- 
plies of Stock and recruits from the 
other side, from tlie neigliborhood of 
our line next Jersey; Can no means 
be devised to stop it; Our Friend Mr. 
Thos. Smith is very uneasy about it. 
If tlie enemy should land at Haver- 
straw, and here to endeavor to pass 
the Highlands, what strength have you 
to guard the Pass at the Clove. Al- 
tho appearances are for their going 
to Phi la. the stratagems of Warr are 
various. I should not be surprised if 
they came up the river. The move- 
ment may easily and expeditiously be 
made; and we ought if possible, to be 
prepared for such an Event. I am so 
worne out with Correspondence and 
other business, that I can only add 
that I am. Dear Sir , 

Your affectionate Hble. Serv't, 

Alex'r McDougall. 
Gen'l Geo. Clinton. 



Gen'l McDougall Sounds the Alarm. 

Fort Montgomery, 

April 23, 1777. 
ab't 6 of the Clock P. M. 
D'r Brother 

The following is a Copy of a letter 
I just now received from Peekskill: 
Head Quarters Peekskill, 

23 April 1777 
D'r Sir 

I have this moment received advice 
that there are twenty sail of Different 
sorts anchored Just Before Fort 
Washington ; these I suspect to be the 
Troops I mentioned to you a few Days 
ago with additions; the winds prV 
vents their coming up at present, 
but they may be expected the first 
wind. Perhaps to-night if the present 
varies. You will therefore Put your 
post in the Best posture of Defence, 
and get what assistance you can from 
the well affected militia. Please send 
the Letter which accompanies this to 
Col. Willett by a Whale Boat. 

I am D'r Sir Your Humble Ser't, 

Alexander McDougall. 
To Gen'l James or George Clinton, 

who Command at Fort Montgomery. 

I am Yours Affectionately, 

James Clinton, B. Gen'l. 

Headquarters Peekskill, 

April 27, 1777. 
D'r General 

An imperfect account has been 
handed to me that one Piemark, who 
left this (place) has encouraged the 
Enemy in a Project to carry a Bomb 
into a creek to the northward of the 
Dunderberg to bombard Fort Mont- 
gomery. You are the best Judge 
whether this is practicable or not. If 
it is pray advise me of it without 
Delay. Twelve ships and some ten- 
ders are still at Dobbs Ferry. I sup- 
pose the wind has prevented their 
moving up on the night of the 25th. 
About 2000 of the Enemy embarked 
at Camps near Fairfield and yester- 
day marched to Danbury where they 
arrived at 4 P. M. without any opposi- 
tion but the Taking up of one Bridge. 
This Intelligence I had at 7 this morn- 



70 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



ing in a Letter from Colo. Huntington, 
who commanded in tliat Town witli 
only 50 Continental Troops and 100 
Militia. 

From the stream of his Letter the 
Enemy had possession of the most of 
our stores. I have sent out five Ex- 
press Riders this morning but none 
of them have returned with later In- 
telligence. Where the Enemy will 
shape their course next is very im- 
probable. 

If you send a Boat over this even- 
ing I will communicate to you the 
news of the Hour. 

I am Sir Your Humble Ser't 

Alex'r McDougall. 
To General George Clinton, 
Probably Pemart. 

Peekskill 5th May 1777 
D'r Sir, 

I received your favor of To-day. I 
have no objection to the person you 
mention to be appointed a conductor. 
I did order your Post to be supplied 
with six months' provisions; but do 
not see any prospect of it being ac- 
complished. Altho it is some time 
(since) I gave the order. Inclosed I 
send you a letter of the General's 
time will not permit me to take a 
Copy of it, which I beg you to do. 
And send that or the original down. 

I am in Haste, 

Your Humble Servant, 

Alex'r McDougall. 

General George Clinton. 

On May 9th Gen'l Geo. Clinton pre- 
sented his resignation to the Conven- 
tion of the Representatives of the 
State of New York, then in Session 
at Kingston. 

On the 13th the following minute 
relative thereto was adopted, 

"Resolved, that General Clinton's 
Resignation be not accepted of, and 
that the Council of Safety write to 
him assigning the reasons for this 
Refusal; and among others, that the 
high Sense of this Convention enter- 
tain of his Abilities to serve his 
Country in this important Hour, for- 
bid their Complying with his Request 
at present. 

Robert Benson, Secy. 



In compliance with the foregoing 
Pierre Van Cortlandt, president of the 
Council of Safety, writing from Kings- 
ton, on May 22, 1777, to Gen'l Clinton, 
says — "That the high sense they en- 
tertain of your Abilities to serve your 
Country in this important Hour" the 
Confidence reposed in your zeal and 
abilities by the Militia in General, the 
Convention just arrived at the time of 
its Dissolution, their being unde- 
termined to the person proper to suc- 
ceed you, all conspired in inducing 
them to request that your Resignation 
may be postponed for the present. It 
will not be long before the Governm't 
will be organized and the Legislature 
meet, and there is great Reason to be- 
lieve you will then be relieved from 
a Burthen which your necessary and 
daily Attention to the Business of 
your other Department has rendered 
inconvenient. 

In the meantime. Sir, the Council 
requests that you will continue as 
heretofore. Consider the Militia of 
Orange, Ulster, Dutchess and West- 
chester as under your immediate com- 
mand. 

I am, with great Respect and 
Esteem, Sir, 

Your Most Obedient and very humble 
Servant, 

Pierre Van Cortlandt, 

Pres'd't. 
Brigadier Gen'l, George Clinton. 

On June 5th, 1777. Gen'l Clinton 
writes to the Council of Safety that 
"John Conkling, Esq., of Haverstraw, 
a Recruiting Capt., in the Enemy's 
service, his first Lieut., of the same 
name, a Serg't, & one Private" with 
incriminating papers in their posses- 
sion — had been Captured near Haver- 
straw by the forces under Gen'l James 
Clinton, "I have ordered them to 
Peekskill in Irons to be tried for 
Treason." 

A General Court Martial was held 
at Peekskill, by order of Maj. Gen'l 
Putnam, June 1st, 1777, of which Gen'l 
Geo. Clinton, was president, and Col- 
onel Philip Pell Junior was Deputy 
Judge Advocate. This Court was Con- 
vened for the purpose of trying Colo. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



71 



Henry B. Livingston, on charges pre- 
ferred by Gen'l Alex'r McDougall. It 
was charged that the accused had 
been guilty of traducing his superior 
officer and in many ways of Conduct, 
whicli in these days, would be defined 
as being prejudicial to good order and 
military discipline. The outcome of 
the matter was that the charges were 
in part sustained, but Livingston 
escaped with a reprimand, because 
some of the witnesses had convenient- 
ly short memories. 



Artitloers are Shy on Rum. 

The following unique report to Gen'l 
Geo. Clinton explains itself: 

Fort Constitution, 15th July, 1777. 

Sir. The artificers employ 'd at this 
post complain heavily, that their usual 
allowance of provision & Rum, have 
been within these few Days reduced 
from 1 1-4 pounds of meat & Bread 
to 1 pound, & rum from half a pint 
p. man p. day, to one Gill. This al- 
lowance they say is not sufficient, for 
their sustenance, & requested of me 
to apply to the General in their Be- 
half; which request will I hope 
apologize for the trouble now given 
you, by your 

Most hu'e Servant 
Gersham Mott, 
Cap. of Artillery. 

The following very interesting letter 
written by Gen'l Philip Schuyler, un- 
der date of July 14th, 1777, to Gen'l 
Pierre Van Cortlandt, reveals an in- 
tense desire on his part to avoid con- 
troversy, on the subject, and to suffer 
injustice rather than to incite distrust 
among his fellow countrymen, and 
to keep silent under calumny, than to 
blazon forth any personal grievance — 
give heed to the sterling old patriot's 
words. 

They are written in explanation of 
the affair at Ticonderoga, for which 
he had been unjustly and severely 
criticized. "I am honored with your 
favor of the 11th instant. The con- 
tents give me geat satisfaction. How- 
ever painful it is to labour under a 
load of calumny, I have thank God, 
fortitude enough not to sink under it; 



nor shall it depress my spirits or 
make me for one moment relax those 
exertions which are become so neces- 
sary, to prevent the enemy from pene- 
trating much further into the country 
which by God's blessing hope still to 
do. 

The general officers have unani- 
mously declared that if the evacuation 
of Tyconderoga was a reprehensible 
measure, they only are guilty. That 
no order of mine for the purpose was 
ever given. Upon what principles it 
was done, you will see by the enclosed, 
of which if a copy is taken, it ought 
to be lodged in the Secretary's hands 
with an injunction not to give a copy 
nor suffer it to be seen by any person, 
for fear that our weak condition 
should too much discourage the coun- 
try. Perhaps it might be as well, if 
even the evacuation of Tyconderoga 
was an unwise measure not to depre- 
cate it too much, lest it should in- 
crease our difficulties, and God knows 
I have a choice of them, and yet I have 
a presentiment, that we still shall 
have a Merry Christmas. I seldom 
hear from below. If you receive any- 
thing worth communicating, pray let 
me have it. A very good use may 
be made of a favourable account; such 
as are otherwise will never be dis- 
closed by me. I wish a line may 
be wrote to our delegates in Congress 
advising them that I did not order the 
evacuation." 

(Ph. Schuyler.) 

July 21st, 1777. Gen'l Putnam writes 
to Gen'l Geo. Clinton from Peekskill 
that Gen'l Washington, "who has ad- 
vanced 11 miles into the Clove, is anx- 
ious as to the movements of the 
enemy in this vicinity." 



Hail Governor Clinton. 

Kingston, July 24 1777 
Sir. "I am directed by an order of 
the Council of Safety, of the 21st in- 
stant, to transmit you a Copy of their 
Resolution requesting you to take the 
oath of office and enter on the dis- 
charge of the duties of Governor. 

The Council do not wish to hold the 
Reins of Government longer than the 



72 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Safety & advantages of this, & of the 
public service in General, may render 
it necessary. 

I am with great esteem, Sir 
Your most obedient, humble serv- 
ant," 

Pierre Van Cortlandt, 
Pres'dt. 
To George Clinton, Esq. 

July 25, 1877. Washington, writing 
from Pompton Plains, N. J., to Gen'l 
Clinton, states that owing to the op- 
erations of the enemy "I shall be 
obliged to draw off a considerable 
part of the present force from Peeks- 
kill, and there can be no substitute 
but militia under our present circum- 
stances. 

I think it would be expedient im- 
mediately to call in from one thou- 
sand to fifteen hundred from the 
States of New York and Connecticut, 
the proportions I leave to be settled 
betM^een Gen'l Putnam and yourself. 
"I have desired Gen'l Putnam to make 
a demand of as many of the Connecti- 
cut Militia as you and he shall allot 
to them. 

On the 25th, 27th and 30th of July, 
Lt. Gov. Pierre Van Cortlandt writes 
to Gen'l Washington, advising him as 
to the situation in this State. In one 
of these he says, "Such is the state 
of our northern affairs at present as 
to promise the enemy an easy Con- 
quest This State is greatly exhausted, 
and our New England brethren are 
not yet roused. 

The Council requested that your 
Excellency will be pleased to animate 
them to more vigorous and manly ex- 
ertions," &c., &c. 

This seems almost prophetic. 

"What new Miracles Providence 
may have in reserve for our deliver- 
ance, or what further measures Gen- 
eral Howe may pursue to defeat his 
own purposes, are uncertain." 
Trial of Edward Palmer. 

P. M., July 29, 1777. 

"Proceedings of the Court Martial 
held at Peekskill, relative to the Tryal 
of Edmund Palmer, by order of the 
Honorable Major Gen'l Putnam. At a 
General Court Martial held on the 22d 



day of July A.D. 1777." 

Composed of "Col. Shepard, Presi- 
dent. Major Ward, Captains Sylvanus 
Brown, Albert Allen, Lieutenants San- 
ford, Lewis, Page, Cleveland and Car- 
penter members; and Captain Philip 
Pell, Junior Deputy Judge Advocate. 

Edmund Palmer was brought be- 
fore Court for Tryal upon charges of 
plundering, Robbing and Carrying off 
the Cattle, Goods, &c., fi'om the well- 
effected Inhabitants and for being a 
spy from the Enemy. 

The Prisoner pleads not Guilty. 

Richard Wyllip, being sworn, says 
about six or seven weeks ago the 
prisoner Came with some others to 
his house in the night; they called 
at the Door. Witness got up and 
opened the Door and Lighted a 
Candle. The prisoner and one other 
came in. The witness asked the pris- 
oner what he wanted; he answered 
that he wanted to search the House, 
then he asked him what he wanted 
to search the House for. The prison- 
er replyed, you are a bad man, and I 
understand you harbour Torys here. 
The prisoner and the other man then 
went all over the House; they took 
nothing — the prisoner then told the 
witness he must go to White Plains 
with him, and they took hold of the 
witness and were Carrying out of the 
House, and when they got him to the 
Road the prisoner beat him (the wit- 
ness) very much and caused the blood 
to run greatly — the witness having 
nothing on but his shirt and breeches. 
The reason the prisoner gave for beat- 
ing the witness was because he was 
a Tory. 

Titus Mead being Sworn, Says that 
on the 2d of July Inst, on his way 
from horse neck to Peekskill, he was 
stop'd on the Road near Croton River 
by three men, viz, Thomas Gibson, 
Peter Wood and Jeremiah Merritt, 
who ordered him to deliver up his 
(the witness's) Pistols, Letters, and 
Papers &c and Demanded his Pocket 
Book, which articles the Witness de- 
livered up, each of them having a Gun 
in his hand. They then Bound the 
Witness and took him up to a Moun- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870 



tain about a Quarter of a Mile from 
the Road. Wlien they got to the 
mountain, the Witness then saw the 
Pris'ner arm'd with another Person — 
Gibson — Threatened to hang the Wit- 
ness — that the men by whom he was 
taken, took a pair of Pistols,, between 
50 & 70 Dollars, and a letter from 
Col. Mead to Gen'l Putnam. The Wit- 
ness saw one Baker on the mountain 
under the custody of the prisoner 
upon Tryal — and Baker informed the 
Witness that he was taken Prisoner 
by them. That the Prisoner now 
upon Tryal seemed to be taking the 
Buckles out of Baker's Shoes and said 
it was not fit that he should wear 
such Buckles. They finally let the 
Witness go towards night but Kept the 
articles above mentioned. 

Henry Strang being Sworn, says, 
that he being at a blacksmith's shop 
about a fortnight or three weeks ago, 
the prisoner and one with him came 
Into the shop; upon the Witness at- 
tempting to get away the prisoner told 
him to Stand — and the prisoner and 
the man with him tied him (the Wit- 
ness). The "Witness resisted a little 
upon their tying him — on which Palm- 
er, the prisoner, pricked him with a 
Bayonet — the Witness then went along 
with them. After getting about a 
quarter of a mile the Witness desired 
one Griffin as they passed by him to 
send to his Family and acquaint them 
that he was taken — upon which the 
Prisoner told the Witness that if he 
said anything more about it he would 
Run him through and pricked him 
again with his Bayonet. Afterwards 
as they passed by John Tompkins's 
the Women hallow'd out and ask'd 
who they had there. Palmer answer- 
ed one of the Rebel Committee — they 
proceeded with the Witness over Cro- 
ton River into the Woods, that Palm- 
er the present Prisoner pricked him 
ten or twelve times with his Bayonet 
and occasioned him to Bleed in many 
spots. Palmer demanded and took the 
Witnesse's Pocket Book from him with 
between 50 & 60 Dollars in it, which 
he Returned it before the Witness 
came away — that they took the Wit- 
ness in the afternoon and Let him go 



about Eleven o'clock in the night, 
upon the Witness's Promising not to 
molest or Injure the Inhabitants 
about the place that the Witness was 
taken at; the Prisoner said he took 
him because he was one of the Rebel 
Committee. The prisoner and the 
other man were both armed. 

John McKeil being sworn, says he 
lives between Crompond and Croton 
Bridge, that in the night when the 
witness was in his bed, his Brother 
came into the house and took down 
a Gun which he handed to Palmer, the 
prisoner, who stood in the Door and 
received it, the Witness told his 
Brother that he used him very ill — 
upon which Palmer Steped up and 
said he used him, the Witness very 
well, also that he had taken Henry 
Strang but used him well and let him 
go; and that he (Strang) had dis- 
tressed the Inhabitants, and if he 
caught him again he'd be damn'd if 
he did not kill him. The Prisoner 
Palmer also said that he understood 
they intended to burn his Mother's 
House, but if they did he swore he 
would burn all Crompond. 

The Prisoner in his Defence says 
he was properly authorized to do what 
he had done, by orders from Gov'r 
Tryon, Gen. Brown and other General 
officers — that he has no commission, 
but was appointed a Lieutenant in 
General Orders in Capt. Ross's Com- 
pany of Col. Patterson's Battalion. 

It being clearly proved that the 
Prisoner was taken near Crompond, 
above thirty miles from King's Bridge 
and within our Lines as a Spy from 
the Enemy with one Person only, a 
late Prisoner under sentence of death, 
that made his escape from our Guards 
and that he has been lurking about as 
a Spy for some months past. The 
Court adjudge the prisoner guilty of 
the whole Charges and sentence him 
to suffer the Pain of Death." 

The Sentence of the Court-Martial 
was approved and Palmer ordered to 
be hanged on Friday the 1st of August, 
between the hours of nine and eleven 
in the morning. 

"In the meantime I received from 
Gen'l Brown the following extraordin- 



74 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



ary letter. Viz.: 

"By his Excellency Brig'd'r Brown 
&c &c &c" "I do hereby certify that 
Edmund Palmer has been a Commis- 
sioned officer in my Brigade, and that 
he has always behaved well Consist- 
ent with the Character of Gentleman, 
during his stay with my Corps." 

"Given under my hand & Seal & 
Arms, at Camp Kingsbridge, July 21st, 
1777. - 

Mumford Brown, 

Brig'r Gen'l." 

Although I Commiserate the un- 
happy Situation of those deluded peo- 
ple who, through the force of Infatua- 
tion, have been led to leave their 
Country, their possessions and near- 
est Connections, to join our cruel and 
unnatural Enemies, who have avowed 
eternal war with the rights of hu- 
manity, yet Considering that the 
Sweets of Liberty, the rights and emo- 
luments of civil Society, are the most 
Important & Sublime of all earthly 
enjoyments, and that they derive their 
perfection & Security (under God) 
from the regular & uninterrupted ad- 
ministration, of a rational System of 
Civil government; and to preserve and 
perpetuate the felicities of Society, to 
support & vindicate the rights of civil 
government, against foreign force & 
invasion; Armies now waive their 
banners in the field — & myself am in 
the army. The military I consider as 
Subservient to & attendant upon the 
Civil; invested with Competent pow- 
ers for its own executive Government 
& to preserve its own existence 
against all open & Secret enemies. Of 
the latter denomination are all spies, 
and thereby answer the end of its In- 
stitution by guarding its own safety, 
is enabled to defend the Community 
against hostile Invaders. 

These considerations, with the ex- 
ample of all ages induce me to believe 
that Spies are the most detestable of 
all Enemies, & ought to be speedily 
executed, tho' not without a Trial and 
legal Conviction, of this Character is 
Palmer, the unhappy Culprit, & for 
this, and not for robbery or burglary 
which are Crimes Cognizable by the 



Civil power, do I sentence him — who 
by Joining himself to the Enemy & ac- 
cepting an appointment from them, 
forfeited all right to the protection & 
immunities of the government of 
which he was a subject. 

Gen'l Brown's letter clears every 
doubt of Palmer's being an Enemy 
and Contains a Striking specimen of 
the Idea our Enemies have of the 
Character of a Gentleman & of the 
Conduct that Corresponds therewith. 

I wish that all who have any in- 
clination to join our Enemies, from 
motives of fear, ambition or avarice, 
would take warning by this Example 
& avoid the dreadful Calamities that 
will inevitably follow, such vile & 
treasonable practices. 

Israel Putnam. 
Peekskill, July 27, 1777. 
In Council of Safety for the State of 
New York, 

July 30, 1777. 
Whereas his Excellency George 
Clinton Esqr. has been duly elected 
Governor of the State of New York, 
and hath this Day qualified himself 
for the Execution of his Office, by tak- 
ing in this Council, the Oaths required 
by the Constitution of this State, to 
enable him to exercise his said office; 
this Council doth thereby. Declare the 
said George Clinton, Esqr. Governor, 
General and Commander-in-Chief of 
all the Militia, and Admiral of the 
Navy of this State, to whom the good 
People of this State are to pay all due 
obedience, according to the Laws and 
Constitution thereof. 

By order of the Council of Safety, 
Pierre Van Cortlandt, 

President. 

Report on General Putnam's Let- 
ters. About Aug. 1, 1777. 

Your Committee to whom was Com- 
mitted the Report on Genl. Putnam's 
Letters & the Situation of the County 
of Westchester beg leave to Report as 
follows: 

"Resolved, that all Horses Cattle 
Sheep and Hogs, in the County of 
Westchester, south of certain lines 
designated by the Commander-in- 
Chief at Peekskill, be removed to the 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



75 



northward of the Highlands, said Cat- 
tle to be appraised at their full value, 
by persons chosen for that purpose, 
and proper vouchers given for such 
of the property as may be turned over 
to the Commissary General or Quar- 
termaster at Peekskill, he or they giv- 
ing proper vouchers for same. Such 
grain and forage as could not be re- 
moved to a place of Safety, to be de- 
stroyed, if danger at any time threat- 
ened." 

Genl. Putnam at Peekskill, was duly 
apprised of the Committee's action, 
as was also the Commander-in-Chief, 
Gen'l Washington. 

On August 1, 1777 — Gov'r Jonathan 
Trumbull writes to Maj. Gen'l Schuy- 
ler, among other matters that "The 
28th (July) I received a Requisition 
from Major Gen'l Putnam at Peeks- 
kill in Consequence of orders from 
Gen'l Washington for five hundred 
militia to join him." 

This sterling patriot realizing the 
straits that Schuyler is in — Says — I 
have pressed Gen'l Washington to 
send you three or four thousand Con- 
tinental troops, which might suddenly 
be thrown up to your quarter to pre- 
vent the career of the Enemy." 

Gov'r Clinton reports to Gen'l Wash- 
ington under date of Fort Montgom- 
ery, 9th Aug. 1777, That in Compli- 
ance with his Excellency's Commands, 
"I ordered 4 Regiments of Militia to 
this Post, 3 to join Gen'l Putnam at 
Peekskill, and one to occupy the 
mouth of the Clove. The last of those 
ordered here arrived yesterday. I 
learn from Gen'l Putnam those de- 
signed for him are also at Peekskill." 

"The Detachment of 810 for this 
Garrison and Peekskill are not yet 
completed owing to the Body of the 
Militia being so suddenly Called out. 

Gen'l Clinton writes from New 
Windsor, Aug. 14, 1777, to Gen'l Put- 
nam, of the desperate condition that 
prevails to the northward, begs "Old 
Put" to come to the rescue in these 
words, "Can't you then my D'r Sir, 
under these pressing circumstances 
Venture to spare Livingston's or Van 
Cortlandt's Small Regiments for this 



Service from your Division to which 
I would add some Militia & by this 
means hope to save that post & 
Country. I am Morally sure it would 
effectually do it. You Know, Sir, I 
have ordered out 810 Militia to the 
Garrisons and Peekskill, instead of 
five," &c. 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

Aug. 27, 1777. 

Sir. I send you one James Place, 
who has been a Lieut, in the british 
service and one William Smith, their 
Crimes you will learn from the en- 
closed and a part of the evidence. 

Also one Tippett, who was taken 
near Fort Independence. I know of 
no Crime he has Committed, but was 
taken within the Enemy's lines. Also 
one Smith, who was taken for a thief 
and robber. I am not possessed of 
the evidence — being persons belonging 
to this State I thought proper to send 
them to your Custody. 

Israel Putnam. 

Gen'l George Clinton writes from 
Kingston Sept. 5, 1777, to Gen'l Ho- 
ratio Gates. 

"In Consequence of the Intelligence 
therein Contained (in a letter from 
Gen'l Putnam) "I have ordered Eleven 
Regiments of the Militia of this State 
to March immediately, 6 of them to 
join Gen'l Putnam's Army at Peeks- 
kill, 2 to strengthen the Garrison at 
Fort Montgom.ery, &c." 

Gov. Clinton writes from New 
Windsor, Oct. 4, 1777, to the Hon'ble 
Pres'd't of the Senate and Speaker of 
the Assembly. "I am rather inclined 
to believe the Enemy's Intentions are 
to ravage Westchester County, than 
anything serious ag't the Posts in the 
Highlands. However it is, but I be- 
lieve that a contrary opinion prevails 
at Peekskill; least I should realy be 
mistaken in my Conjecture & their 
design shou'd really be what Gen'l 
Putnam suspects." 

Gen'l Putnam writes from the Paper 
Mills (at Annsville) Oct. 6, 1777, that 
"I am this moment returned from 
Fort Independance, and find that the 
party of the Enemy which were said 



76 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



to have landed last night at (the) 
Fort Is without Foundation, by the 
inhabitants who lives just by Fort In- 
dependence, I am informed that the 
Enemy have landed betwixt King's 
Ferry and Dunderbarrack, (Dunder- 
berg) if that's the case they mean to 
attack Fort Montgomery by land 
(which when I am sure off) Shall im- 
mediately Reinforce you." Subsequent 
events proved that Gen. Putnam's con- 
jecture as to the intentions of the enemy 
was correct. He was however com- 
pletely outwitted by the maneuvers of 
Sir Henry Clinton, who landed under 
cover of a dense fog a large force 
near Stony Point,- some 2,000 strong. 
Skirting the western base of Dunder- 
berg, this column commanded by Sir 
Henry Clinton, in person, led by a 
tory guide defiled through the narrow 
way, and halted on the northern side 
in a ravine, between it and Bear 
Mountain. The possibility of an 
enemy's approach by this pass had 
been noticed by Washington in re- 
connoitering the Highlands, and he 
had mentioned it in his instructions 
to Knox and Greene, when they were 
sent to make their Military Survey. 
Their oversight in not paying more 
attention to the possibilities of this 
rugged pass and providing for its de- 
fence, led to serious consequences. 

In this ravine Sir Henry divided his 
forces. One division, nine hundred 
strong, led by Lieutenant Colonel 
Campbell, was to make a circuit 
through the woods round the western 
side of Bear Mountain, so as to gain 
the rear of Fort Montgomery. The 
other Column was to attack Fort Clin- 
ton, the movement being timed so 
that both attacks should be made sim- 
ultaneously. 

Sir Henry thus far had outwitted 
Putnam, but Governor Clinton, on re- 
ceiving intelligence of ships of war 
coming up the Hudson, had sent 
scouts beyond Dunderberg to watch 
their movements. Early on the pres- 
ent morning word had been brought 
him that forty boats were landing a 
large force at Stony Point. He now, 
in his turn, apprehended an attack, 



and sent to Putnam for reinforce- 
ments, preparing in the meantime, to 
make such defence as his scanty 
means afforded. 

A lieutenant was sent out with 
thirty men from Fort Clinton, to 
march along the river road and re- 
connoiter. He fell in with the ad- 
vance guard of Sir Henry Clinton's 
division, and retreated skirmishing to 
the fort. A large detachment was sent 
out to check the enemy on the west 
side, while sixty men afterward in- 
creased to a hundred, took position 
with a brass field piece in the Bear 
Hill defile. The several parties sent 
out to delay the attack were finally 
driven in, although bravely contesting 
every inch of the way. The little 
garrisons made a stubborn and pro- 
longed defence. The Americans fought 
desperately from one redoubt to an- 
other. Some were slain, some taken 
prisoners, and some escaped under 
cover of the night to the river or the 
mountains. "The Garrison," writes 
Clinton, had to fight their way out as 
many as could, as we determined not 
to surrender." Gen'l James Clinton, 
brother of the Governor, was saved 
from a deadly thrust of a bayonet by 
a garrison orderly book in his pocket; 
but he received a fiesh wound in his 
thigh. He slid dov/n a precipice one 
hundred feet high, into the ravine be- 
tween the forts, and escaped to the 
woods. The governor leaped down the 
rocks to the river side, where a boat 
was putting off with a number of the 
fugitives. They turned back to re- 
ceive him, but he generously refused 
to endanger their safety, as the boat 
was deeply loaded to the gunwale. It 
was only on receiving assurance of 
its being capable of bearing his ad- 
ditional weight that he consented to 
enter. The boat crossed the Hudson 
in safety, and before midnight the 
governor was with Putnam, at Con- 
tinental Village, concerting further 
measures." 

British historians acknowledge, that 
the valor and resolution displayed by 
the Americans in the defence of these 
forts were in no instance exceeded 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



during the war; their loss in killed, 
wounded and missing, was stated at 
two hundred and fifty, a large pro- 
portion of the number engaged." 

Octo. 15, 1777. Gen'l Washington 
writes to Gov'r Clinton. "It is to be 
regretted that so brave a resistance 
did not meet with a suitable reward. 
You have, however, the satisfaction of 
Knowing that every thing was done, 
that could possibly be done by a hand- 
ful against a superior force. He fur- 
ther says, "that without the troops 
from Peekskill, we should scarcely 
have been able to keep the field 
against Gen'l Howe." 

"I am sorry that you are under the 
necessity of destroying the frigates. 
The only Consolation is, that if we 
had not done it ourselves, the enemy 
would either have done it for us, or 
have carried them down for their own 
use." 

Pres'd't Pierre Van Cortlandt writes 
from Kingston, Oct. 15, 1777, at 5 p. 
m. to Gov'r Clinton, "We just this 
moment have received Information 
from the Landing, that about thirty 
Sail of the Enemy's Vessels appeared 
opposite Esopus Island & standing up 
the Piiver. 

Nov. 12, 1777. Alexander Hamilton 
writes from New Windsor, to his 
Chief, Gen'l Washington, "I have been 
detained here these two days by a 
fever and violent rheumatic pains 
throughout my body." 

[From New Windsor, Hamilton pro- 
ceeded to Fishkill, and through the 
Highlands to Peekskill, where, becom- 
ing seriously ill, he wrote to Gen'l 
Washington, from Mr. Kennedy's 
house, under date of Nov. 15, "I ar- 
rived at this place last night and un- 
fortunately find myself unable to pro- 
ceed any further." John C. Hamilton's 
Life of Alexander Hamilton. See page 
556. Note by Hon. Hugh Hastings, 
State Historian.] 

A few days later Col. Hamilton was 
able to resume his journey. 

Peekskill, Nov. 26, 1777. 

(Capt) Ebenezer Boyd writes to 
Gov'r Clinton in behalf of some per- 



son, name not given, who attempted 
to smuggle flour through the lines at 
this place — through ignorance, pre- 
sumably. 

Governor Clinton writes from Wal- 
kill, Nov. 26, 1777, to his brother, 
Gen'l James Clinton, at Fort Mont- 
gomery, warns him "that one Mr. 
John Patterson having been permitted 
by the Committee of Safety to pass 
with his Family & Effects, (his male 
servants excepted) to the City of New 
York, as a Prisoner." Personally the 
Governor does not approve of this 
step — "but bowing to the decision of 
the Council" he is constrained to sub- 
mit "tho (he) is not insensible that 
they have interfered in a Matter that 
did not properly belong to them. Yet 
my refusal wou'd rather lessen their 
Importance & discover What I shou'd 
not wish our Enemys to Know, to wit, 
a Fickeledness & Uncertainty in our 
Counsels & Determinations." 

"You will therefore grant a Flagg 
to Mr. Patterson to proceed to New 
York with his Family putting an of- 
ficer if one can be spared & you & 
Colo Lamb Shall Judge it necessary, 
on Board the Sloop with this further 
Caution. The Flagg not to pass our 
Advance Water Guard at Peekskill or 
Tarry Town until they shall have Gen- 
eral Putnam's Permission." It will 
threfore be necessary that you write 
to Gen'l Putnam with the Flagg & 
wlien it arrives at Peekskill, let Mr. 
Paterson forward the Letter & wait 
the answer. 

Governor Clinton writes from 
Poughkeepsie Dec. 18,1777, to Gen'l 
Heath at Peekskill, "It is my opinion 
that we must get the Troops at least 
a Part of them nearer the Forts to 
be Erected for the Defence of Hud- 
son's River than either Fish (Kill or 
Peekskill. Before this on the 19th, 
he wrote to Gen'l Heath in a Post 
Script — "Since I wrote the foregoing, 
(the first part of the letter) I have 
received a letter from Gen'l Putnam, 
stating that he had been ordered by 
"Gen'l Washington, to direct his fu- 
ture views solely to the works in the 
River & that he intends marching his 



78 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



troops to Peeks' or Fishkill for that 
Purpose. This may help something; 
but however a good man & brave sol- 
dier he may be (in confidence I say 
it) he is not calculated for the Con- 
ducting of this Business. 

Clinton writes at considerable 
length from Poughkeepsie on the 20th, 
that "I never considered Peeks Kill 
or the village Posts of great Impor- 
tance only as they stood Connected 
with the Defences of the River." 

Clinton was much chagrined be- 
cause Putnam failed to promptly re- 
inforce him, when Forts Montgomery 
and Clinton were attacked on October 
6th last, but this is the first instance 
of his making any official Complaint 
on that score. Putnam meant well, 
and did make the attempt to succor 
the beleaguered garrison, but entirely 
too late to be of any avail. — S. D. H. 

Under date of Jany. 14, 1778, ap- 
pears a "Return of the Third Regi- 
ment of Militia in Westchester County, 
of which Pierre Van Cortlandt is Col- 
onel, in Gen'l (Lewis) Morris's 
Brigade: 



O B S H 

Field & Staff 6 6 

N. C. " 2 2 

Capt. James Kranchite 1 30 31 

" Gilbert Lockwood. 2 52 54 

" Abraham Buckhout 3 52 55 

" John Hyatt 3 83 f^'j 

" John Headen 3 66 69 

" Andrew Brown 4 59 63 

" Nathaniel Delivan. 3 53 56 

" Gedion Selee 3 40 43 

28 437 465 
At about this time an attempt was 
made by a cabal of officers, among 
whom were Gen'ls Gates, Conway and 
others, to seduce Lafayette, and wean 
his affections from Washington, to 
whom the young Frenchman was 
greatly attached. It was the purpose 
of these intriguers to send an expe- 
dition into Canada, and they relied 
upon this young nobleman to secure 



the attention of the French speaking 
people of that province through his 
knowledge of their language, and his 
prestige from being the scion of a 
noble house, with a distinguished 
French ancestry. The project was 
a miserable failure. Lafayette refused 
absolutely to be a party to it. 

Feby. 10, 1778. Charles Moore 
writes from West Point to Gen'l Clin- 
ton, "Sir, as my farm is wanted for 
the use of ye Army, and Gen'l Putnam 
wants the House for himself or ye 
Commanding officer at this post, I 
went by his direction last week, to 
Peak's Kill, to look for a vacant Farm 
there, or in its vicenaty, ye income of 
which sh'd be equal to my own at W. 
Point. I made all ye enquiry I possib- 
ly cou'd but cou'd not find one." He 
then asks the Governor "to allow him 
the use of the Beverly Robinson 
Place." 

Hugh Hughes, Quartermaster at 
Peekskill, writes that he has by mes- 
senger, "A couple of dried fish for 
your excellency's table, which I hope 
will be agreeable. Some more will 
be sent as opportunity offers, as also 
some cranberries." 

The Continental Congress on March 
7, 1778, set apart the 22d day of April, 
1778 "as a day of fasting, humiliation 
and prayer" "And it earnestly recom- 
mended to the inhabitants of the Unit- 
ed States to abstain on that day from 
all labour and recreation." 

On March 11th Gen'l Samuel H. 
Parsons reports to the Governor, "that 
out of 100 barrels of flour to have been 
received from Capt. Hiat, at Crom- 
pond, only 61 have been delivered." 
On the 16th he writes, "The Carting 
is so exceedingly bad that it is al- 
most impossible to get Provisions to 
Morristown. About 15 or 20 teams 
have passed the river with four bar- 
rels each. 150 have been removed 
from Bedford, of which 135 have come 
into Peek's Kill, when some of the 
teamsters have drop'd their loads, & 
gone off with their teams, about 16 
still remain determined not to cross 
without military compulsion. In short 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



79 



the good whigs in & near Bedford 
seem determined to do nothing with- 
out a military force to compel their 
movements every mile. The 'i'ories of 
Cortlandt's Manor are more submis- 
sive. 

A return of Prisoners &c. "Belong- 
ing to the State of New York, dated 
April 27, 1778, on which appears the 
name of Jon'a Ogden of Peekskill, a 
member of Emerick's Chasseurs, who 
was Captured Jan'y 3, 1778." Presum- 
ably under guard during the interval. 

The following explains itself: 

Poughkeepsie, May 1, 1778. 
"Gentlemen: 

Agreeable to an Act of Congress, I 
have the Honor to inclose you a 
Quadruplicate Receipt, for the United 
States Lottery tickets which remained 
unsold on the 30th of April last — and 
am with due Respect your most 
Obed't Serv't. 

George Clinton. 

To the Managers of the United 
States Lottery, Yorktown (Va.). The 
Governor also reports same date to 
"The Hon'ble of Treasury of the Unit- 
ed States of America at Yorktown" — 
the above tickets were 3209 in num- 
ber. 

May 6, 17^8, Gen'l McDougall writes 
from FisUkill, "the great necessity of 
hastening the erection of the defensive 
works at King's Ferry." 

Peekskill, June 13, 1778. 
Sir, "When I waited on Hon'ble Major 
Gen'l Gates, I acquainted him of a 
Vessel going to N. York, in a few days 
with a Flagg, in which vessel Ensign 
Man, would be sent. The Gen'l ap- 
peared surprised, and desired that he 
should be detained until he is regu- 
larly Exchanged, for reason the Gen- 
eral does not Chuse to furnish Mr. 
Man, but from what I can learn he 
has been a bitter & inhuman Enemy. 

I am Sir, &c., 

John Adams, D.C. of Pris. 
His Exc'y Gov'r Clinton. 

Peekskill, June 27, 1778. 
Gen'l Gates writes that "owing to 
the illness of Gen'l Glover, requests 
Governor Clinton, as soon as the af- 



fairs of State, will permit to assume 
Command at West Point." 

Peekskill, June 29, 1778. 

Col. Udny Hay informs Gov'r Clin- 
ton that he is "short of Waggons." 
On a former occasion several of the 
teamsters deserted. "As he has dis- 
ciplined some of these delinquents 
severely when they came in his pow- 
er," (he) "presumes they may com- 
plain to his Excellency." He further 
says, "These I must for the good of 
the service use with some degree of 
severity; otherwise I shall never be 
able to putt an end to that very per- 
nicious Custom." 

Peekskill 3d June (July) 1778. 

Gov'r Jon'a Trumbull, (of Connec- 
ticut) writes to Gov'r Clinton, that he 
has received word from Gen'l Gates, 
of Gen'l Washington's victory at 
Monmouth, N. J." (June 28, 1778). 



The Putnam-3Ialcom Misunderstand- 
ing. 

(Malcom to Clinton.) 

Fort Clinton, 22d Oct, 1778. 

"Sir: The arrival of Major Lush, 
last evening, I imagine saved me from 
an arrest by Gen'l Putnam. The 
Major came up to the Flag sloop last 
night armed with a pass & orders to 
proceed to Poughkeepsie, from his fa- 
ther for your command." "I send by 
Major Lush a Copy of our correspend- 
ence." 

It seems that Gen'l Putnam, whose 
temper was somewhat capricious, took 
umbrage at something Malcom, had 
done, which Putnam considered a 
breach of courtesy as well as disci- 
pline, but it appears that at the time 
Malcom, was acting under the Gover- 
nors orders. 

In the same letter Col. Malcom con- 
gratulates the Governor, over an in- 
crease in the latter's family. 

The following letter shows Col. Mal- 
com, to have been a man of wit, as 
well as war. 

Fort Clinton, Nov., 20,1778. 

"Sir, Last night I received a fine 
re-inforcement of Torys from Peeks- 
kill, and this morning they are at 



80 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



work." "From the information of 
Lieut. Connelly, who brought them in, 
I expect a world of solicitations in 
their favor, and I expect the more so, 
because I am tormented with Orange 
County Justices, whenever any mis- 
creants are brought in from the moun- 
tains. Now as I only want to get a 
while's worth out of them, it is the 
very least atonement they can make 
for their crimes; I request that your 
excellency will evade the interest that 
I know will be made for them by 
boobies as bad" as they. I have never 
kept any of these fellows above three 
months and then give them a dis- 
charge and certificate that they are 
white washed. This serves the States, 
the State and in fact them also, as 
they will not be troubled. I am pretty 
sure, with such a credential, and also 
if you think fit, the State may share 
pay for them; we give them none. 
However; only amuse your stupid 
Justices that they may not torment 
me with their foolish demands, and 
we shall make you a good Fort by 
and by. I beg my respects to your 
Lady and am & ca". 

"W. Malcom." 
"Gov'r Clinton." 

Peekskill, Dec. 2, 1778. 

"My Dear Sir: I was honored with 
your Favour by Major McDougall. 
You justly concluded, that I did not 
intend to ask a promise of you in fav- 
our of Colonel Lawrence; I can with 
great Truth assure you, I had not a 
wish to obtain a promise from you." 

"After traversing the lower part of 
this State, and part of Connecticut, I 
am induced one more by the Com'd'r 
in Chief, to take Charge of the Posts 
in the Highlands, with Nixon's, Pat- 
terson's and Learned's Brigades, and 
the present Garrison at West Point. 
The first of these is now hutting on 
the Post Road below Mrs. Warren's, 
the two Latter are not yet come on, 
from the Eastward." "As some of 
these troops were ordered to Bedford, 
North Castle, Church and Sing Sing," 
and "His Excellency (Washington) 
has called off the Horse and Light 
Troops to join their respective corps." 



"I wish you would order three hun- 
dred of the Militia out, for that service 
for fifteen or twenty Days at furthest, 
when I shall relieve them. 

Your Favours left at Major Cam- 
mell's Continental Village will reach 
me." 

"Alex'r McDougall." 
"To Gov'r Clinton." 

Fort Arnold, near West Point, 

Dec. 4, 1778. 

"Sir. Col. (A. Hawke's) Hay at 
Haverstraw "reports that twenty Sail 
of large and some small vessels in 
Tappan Bay. Their object must be 
some stores on the west side of 
(King's) the Ferry. Five hundred 
Pennsylvanians now at Peekskill, are 
ordered to cross, and Nixon's Brigade 
with all possible dispatch. Learned's 
is ordered to march to this Ferry. 
Patterson's to the Village to await 
orders. 

Three Cannon fired five minytes af- 
ter each other will be the Signal." 

"Alex McDougall." 
"To Gov. Clinton." 

At 7 p. m. Dec. 5, '78. The Gov- 
ernor from Poughkeepsie, acknowl- 
edges the receipt of the foregoing let- 
ter. He says, "I will order the Mil- 
itia to hold themselves in Readiness, 
and to march accordingly on Firing 
of the alarm Guns." 

The next day, Dec. 6, McDougall 
writes the Governor. "Sir, I am hon- 
ored with your favour of yesterday. 
The Enemy's Fleet, consisting of 26 
Saile Came up and anchored at King's 
Ferry at 9 a. m. of the 5th and landed 
1500 men at 11 ; but their object being 
removed in time, and seeing Nixon's 
Brigade move towards them, which 
crossed in the Morning within shot, 
they embarked with precipitation. 

At 4 p. m. they sett saile and mov- 
ed down the river below Tallar's 
Point, and I believe are now out of 
sight." 



Gea'l McDoiig-all Gets Angry. 

Headquarters Peekskill, 

Dec. 28, 1778. 
He writes to Gov'r Clinton, "It is 
unquestionable, that the enemy has a 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



81 



plan of our works at West Point. Sev- 
eral deserters from Robinson's Corps 
assert it. * * * McDougall claims that 
Emmerick, (a British Colonel), enlists 
the Cow Boys, for the express purpose 
of Spies and plunderers, and to give 
them as he imagines, trotection by 
being enlisted in his Corps." "But a 
few days will convince them. For I 
am determined at all hazards, to hang 
every one of them, on the public roads, 
that a Court Martial will condemn 
agreeable to the Known Laws of Na- 
tions, &c." I have now a Choice Col- 
lection of these Adventurers. 

The Court Martial sits to-morrow. 
Among others is the infamous Hobby. 
I fear he will lead the way, for the 
dread example." 

In a few days I shall begin to erect 
a new Bridge over Croton, about a 
mile from its mouth, to facilitate my 
communication with Sing Sing, as 
well as to shorten the distance ten 
miles from King's Ferry to the 
(White) Plains." 

Peekskill, 31st Dec, 1778. 

"My dear Sir, "Altho I am exceed- 
ingly hurried with correspondence, 
and other business, I cannot finish this 
evening's work without writing you a 
flying scrawl, on thoughts which have 
occurred to me, and omitted in my 
previous letters" * * * "Since I came 
here 31 deserters from the enemy have 
Come in to this Post, only." He notes 
the scarcity of Provisions, especially 
Bread, among their troops. Also that 
there is a "want of Provision among 
the troops in this vicinity." "Two 
hundred of Gen'l Putnam's men flew 
to their arms" on account of shortage 
of flour for five days." How it has 
ended I have not Learnt." 

Nixon's Brigade has not a week's 
(Supply) in Store; and none Comes 
from the Southard." 

Your aiost ob't h'ble Serv't, 
Alex'r McDougall. 
To Gov'r Clinton. 

W. H. Bartlett, in his history of the 
United States, at page 467, writing of 
the French Alliance of 1778, says, (It) 
"also had the effect of discouraging 
public and private enterprise. Con- 



sidering by this means the final suc- 
cess of their Cause to be fully assured, 
and exhausted with a long protracted 
struggle, the Americans began to 
languish and grow weary, and shrank 
from the sacrifices required of them. 
The recruiting of the army proceeded 
slowly, and the greatest difl!iculty was 
experienced in providing for its wants. 

The dire necessity that existed for 
fresh concessions of paper money had 
led to a train of deplorable Conse- 
quences. All attempts to sustain its 
value had proved abortive, a single 
dollar was worth eight and sometimes 
twenty, of the Colonial bills, and the 
mischief was still further increased 
by the immense quantity of forged 
bills introduced by the loj^alists." 
From this deplorable condition "none 
were greater sufferers than the Army." 
"In Carolina a single pair of shoes 
cost 700 paper dollars, and the pay 
of officers and privates was insuffi- 
cient for more than bare necessaries." 
Jany. 15, 1779. 

Under this date an anonymous let- 
ter has been sent to Gov'r Clinton, 
stating that the notorious Tory Ex- 
Gov. Tryon offers a large bounty "to 
any man who will Kill you." The 
sender claims to have heard this from 
a Spy. "He (the Spy) informs me 
that he was applied to be one of the 
men, and that the men for the above 
purpose came up in Company with 
him, and that one of them is now con- 
cealed on the Manor of Cortland, and 
that Ogden's Jim and the white man 
that is one of your guard came in 
Company with him from the Bridge," 
&c. 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 
Jany 20, 1779. 

My dear Sir. Your favor of the 3d 
came duly to hand. It would long ere 
now been acknowledged, but the pres- 
sing public Business prevented. I 
have done a great deal of Business in 
the Course of my life; but at no Period 
have I been so hard pushed. 

But thank God, I am able to do as 
much as at any Period of it." 

(In this letter he complains greatly 



b2 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



of lack of means to supply his suffer- 
ing troops.) He continues, "Your 
whig Militia below have as great an 
Itch for plundering as the Cow Boys; 
but if they don't conform to my or^ • 
ders, I will flog them or give them 
over to the Civil authorities to be 
prosecuted as thieves and Robbers." 
"Colonel Poor's Regiment on fatigue 
duty at King's Ferry, have been two 
days without flour notwithstanding 
every Precaution in my power was 
taken to prevent it." 

I am with great respect. 

Your most obd't serv't," 

"Alex'r McDougall." 
"To Gov'r Clinton." 

Writing from Haverstraw, Jany. 26, 
1779, Col. W. Malcom complains of the 
great number of dram shops there. 
He informs Gov'r Clinton, "It is my 
duty to report to your Excellency that 
almost every house in this neighbor- 
hood is a dram shop, & the conse- 
quence is likewise to be the ruin of 
the troops," &c., &c. 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

Jany. 27, 1779. 
"Dear Sir, "I have a thousand things 
to say to you, which must be reserved 
for a tete a tete. The tory Culprits 
and Spies increase on n.y hands, and 
before the opening of the Campaign, 
their number will be very Consider- 
able. 

I am therefore building a log Pris- 
on to receive them." 

I am &c. 
Your most obd't Serv't," 
Alex'r McDougall. 
"To Gov'r Clinton." 

Peekskill, Feby. 6, 1779, 7 p. m. 
On the above date Gen'l McDougall 
informs Governor Clinton, "My Jail 
will be compleat to-morrow. And a 
fine one it is. It will secure without 
a Centery, fifty of the Strongest Horse 
thieves in the Country." 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

Feby. 16, 1779. 

My dear Sir. Some of the Villains 

who broke out of your jail are now 

under Examination. One of them is a 

Spy of Tryon's, if the proof is full, I 



shall not trouble a Court-Martial with 
him. 

I am &c, 

Alex'r McDougall. 
His Excellency Gov'r Clinton. 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 
2d day of March, 1779. 
Gen'l McDougall instructs Capt. 
Merely, as to the "passage of Flour, 
through the lines." "He is to post 
guards at various points," and closes 
his instructions in these words: "You 
will maintain the strictest discipline 
among your men, & not suffer the per- 
sons or properties of any Inhabitants 
to be insulted or injured." 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

March 3, 1779. 
Sir, this will be delivered to you by 
James Hallett, late a virtuous Pilot in 
New York," &c. 

I am, &c, 
Alex'r McDougall. 



KcBoiigall's Plan for Capturing Tryon 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

March 10, 1779. 
"Sir, The Commander-in-Chief has 
enabled me by hard money, to carry 
into execution my Design of offering 
a Reward for Gen'l Tryon and others. 
1 beg to try, the Legislature, without 
Delay, whether they will pass a short 
Law, to enable me to pardon the non- 
Commissioned officers and privates of 
the New Levies to induce them to aid 
in that salutary work. I think they 
can not hesitate on the Policy and 
Propriety of the measures." 

I beg a line from you on this Sub- 
ject, on the Prospect of this applica- 
tion." 

I am, &c, 
Alex'r McDougall. 
"His Excellency Gov'r Clinton." 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

March 14, 1779. 
"Sir: It has been the Misfortune of 
this County, that it has been amused 
at every Period of Dispute, with Great 
Britain, with some object, to take its 
attention from the Ultimate one." 

P.S. "Since this was wrote a Pic- 
quet from Col. Putnam's Regiment 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



posted on Tallar's Point, has taken 
eleven of the Galley men who landed 
with a view of taking off Stock." 
•'Among the number a Pilot, one Bice, 
from the neighborhood of Pough- 
keepsie." 

I am, &c., 

Alex'r McDougall. 
"His Excellency Gov'r Clinton." 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

March 17, 1779. 
"Sir, The Spies and Agents I have 
out among the Tories inform me the 
enemy intend paying me a visit, about 
the time of service of the 9 months 
troops expires, which will be about 
April 1st." 

I am, &c, 

Alex'r McDougall. 
To Gov'r Clinton. 

(Subsequent events prove that the 
information was in the main correct. 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

March 24, 1779. 
Gen'l McDougall writes to tlie Gov'r 
among other things, "If Sergeant Wil- 
liams of Robinson's Regiment should 
be apprehended, for God sake don't 
let the Villian escape." I shall send 
for him the moment I am advised if 
he is secured." 



Gen'l McDoii§rall Opens a Custom 
House, and Warns Gov'r Cliuton. 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

April 3, 1779. 
"Sir. I forgot to warn you in ray 
former Letters, to take Care of your- 
self. Be assured you are one of those 
Victims to be destroyed by any means. 
To prevent the abuses, which large 
Permits have created; and to enable 
the public to judge what Provision has 
gone Eastward, as for the Continent, 
I have been obliged to open a Custom 
House Office. The Guards may be im- 
posed upon by civil authority if they 
serve for more than one Term. The 
supplies for the army are so alarm- 
ing, that no pains should be left un- 
essayed to defeat the arts of the Job- 
bers. The Consequence to this State 
will be very awful, if the Enemy 



should operate in it, before the next 
Crop comes in. It is to prevent this 
that I have taken the Liberty to order 
the Guards to stop all Grain and 
Flour, which have not printed per- 
mits," &c. 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

27th April, 1779. 
"Sir: When the Court Martial fin- 
ished with Captain Sloo, there was 
not time to make out a Second Copy 
of the Sentence to be sent up to 
Poughkeepsie. The Provost was so 
full that it was necessary to send Sloo 
up, and Major Piatt wrote Mr. Ben- 
son that the Judge Advocate would 
send up his Crime. 

I have since heard he is going at 
large. If so, I fear he has made his 
escape, as I Consider him to be a 
Villian." 

I am, &c, 

Alex'r McDougall. 
To Gov'r Clinton. 

Peekskill, 1st May, 1779. 

P. Colt, Esq., Deputy Commissary 
Gen'l of Prov., asks Gov'r Clinton, 
through Gen'l McDougall, for Permit 
for 100 bbls. of flour, to be sent out 
of the State, for Supplying the Guards 
at Horse Neck & Norwalk. 

The Permit to be forwarded to him 
at Bedford. 

Peekskill, May 15, 1779. 

Gen'l McDougall informs Gov'r Clin- 
ton, that Gen'l Washington has or- 
dered the new Levies at Fishkill to 
proceed to Albany, and Report to 
Gen'l James Clinton at that City. 
Headquarters, Peekskill, 

May 29, 1779. 
Gen'l McDougall, to Gov'r Clinton. 

Extract. "Patrick Rogers says he 
is a native of Ireland, was Corporal 
in Lord Cathcart's Legion, and de- 
serted this morning with two others 
of the same Corps. He says that 
Seventeenth British Reg't of Horse, 
Lord Cathcart's Legion, Emerick's 
Corps, the Hessian Yagers, Simcoes 
the 7th 23d & 63d British Regt's lay 
on this side the Bridge encamped from 
Cortlandt's to Valentines, &c, &c. 

The above noted troops composed 



84 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



part of the forces which came upon 
transports from the South without 
stopping at New York, and that Cap- 
tured the small garrison that occupied 
Fort Lafayette, and threatened Peeks- 
kill.— S. D. H. 

The following Condensed account of 
the demonstration is from the N. J. 
Gazette, of June 9, 1779. "May 31. 
Day before yesterday, fifteen hundred 
men, Consisting of British and Hes- 
sian grenadiers, light infantry, Volun- 
teers of Ireland and Yagers landed at 
Teller's Point, eight miles below 
Peekskill, on the North River, and the 
following day another party landed on 
the west side of the river, where they 
burned some houses, and opened two 
small batteries from which they 
threw shells, and connonaded Fort de- 
la-Fayette, across the river all day, at 
the same time two small galleys kept 
up a severe fire on the fort. They 
have continued there until eleven 
o'clock to-day. By a flag they de- 
manded a surrender. The parley con- 
tinued two hours, when Captain Arm- 
strong surrendered. A small block 
house on Stony Point occupied by a 
small party of Americans, seeing that 
resistance to such a large body would 
be useless, the garrison set fire to the 
place, and retreated to the Posts up 
the river." 

Headquarters, Peekskill, 

May 30, 1779. 

Gen'l McDougall writes Gov'r Clin- 
ton that he has received word from 
Major Richard Hatfield at South Sa- 
lem, "that the enemy is in force at 
White Plains. 

(Peekskill) Village, 30 May, 1779. 

"Sir, I have this moment received 
your favour of this day. The enemy 
have advanced up the River in about 
thirty-five large vessels, and a great 
number of flat bottom boats, as far as 
Tallar's Point, where they have land- 
ed about 1500 men, and a few at Hav- 
erstraw. 

They are in great force, and they 
have not yet passed King's Ferry. 
To-morrow I suppose they will pass, 
their force must be very considerable. 



Gen'l McDougall was no doubt very 
much troubled at this unexpected in- 
vasion, but they returned almost im- 
mediately down the river. 

Village, June 1, 1779, 7 a. m. 

My dear Sir, I received your favor 
of 10 o'clock last night Early this 
morning. The enemy Debarked all his 
Force mostly on the east side, From 
Croton to Tallar's Point; and Towards 
the Ferry. * * * No intelligence this 
morning." 

I am, &c, 

Alex'r McDougall. 
Gov'r Clinton. 

(McDougall, appended this list to 
above). 

"13 Ships, 3 Brigs, 4 Topsail Schoon- 
ers, 6 do Sloops, 3 Gallies, 15 or 20 
Vessels, a great number of Flat Bot- 
tomed & Gun Boats." 

June 7, 1779. Col. Jesse Woodhull, 
stationed at Haverstraw, writes to Col. 
Malcom, near West Point. Viewing 
the enemy from a distance with "a 
good glass" he reports: 

"See almost as well as if I was on 
the very Spot, they are at work like a 
Parsels of Devils; in fortifying both 
Stoney Point and Van Plank's Point, 
&c." 

Draft of a letter from Gov'r Clinton 
to Col. Drake, Lieut. Cols. Hammond 
& Budd, and Major Crane. "The pe- 
culiar situation of your County ex- 
posed to the Ravages of the enemy 
now lying at Verplanck's Point & 
White Plains, &c. "I have directed 
Col. Drake and Major Crane, with a 
Small Detach'mt from Ludington's to 
call out their Regts. & post them in 
the Neighborhood of Crompond to 
Cover Pine's Bridge." 

June 23d. Governor Clinton writes 
to the Honorable James Duane, Esq., 
"The Enemy still continues in force 
at Verplancks and Stoney Point, where 
they are throwing up works." 

Gen'l Washington, on the above date 
established his headquarters at West 
Point, with Gen'l Alex'r McDougall, 
in whom the Commander-in-Chief had 
great Confldence, in the immediate 
command of that most important post. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



The operations of Gen'l Sir Henry 
Clinton against Verplancks, and Stony 
Points, and tlie fall of Fort Lafayette, 
and the evacuation of the blockhouse 
at Stony Point greatly disconcerted 
the plans of the Commander in Chief. 
In this Connection the following will 
be found to be of great interest. — 
S. D. H. 

Irving in his life of Washington, 
vol. 3, page 496, says: "Washington 
had projected two works also just be- 
low the Highlands, at Stony Point and 
Verplanck's Point, to serve as out- 
works of the mountain passes, and to 
protect King's Ferry, the most direct 
and convenient communication be- 
tween the Eastern and Middle States. 

A small but strong fort had been 
erected on Verplanck's Point, and was 
garrisoned by seventy men under Cap- 
tain Arrc strong. A more important 
work was in progress at Stony Point. 
When completed, these two forts, on 
opposite promontories, would form as 
it were the lower gates of the High- 
lands; miniature Pillars of Hercules, 
of which Stony Point was the Gibral- 
tar." 

Unfortunately, Sir Henry Clinton 
owing to the superior numbers and 
the co-operation of the naval forces at 
his command, was able to frustrate 
the plans of Washington relative to 
these two points. 

Irving continues on page 497 — 

"The first aim of Sir Henry was 
to get possession of Stony and Ver- 
planck's Points; his former expedi- 
tion (against Forts Montgomery and 
Clinton) had acquainted him with the 
importance of this pass of the river. 
On the morning of the 31st (May, 
1779) the forces were landed in two 
divisions, the largest under General 
Vaughan, on the east side of the river, 
about seven or eight miles below Ver- 
planck's Point; the other, Command- 
ed by Sir Henry in person, landed in 
Haverstraw Bay, about three miles 
below Stony Point. There were but 
about thirty men in the unfinished 
fort; they abandoned it on the ap- 
proach of the enemy, and retreated 



into the Highlands, having first set 
fire to the blockhouse. The British 
took quiet possession of the fort in 
the evening; dragged up cannon and 
mortars in the night, and at daybreak 
opened a furious fire upon Fort La- 
fayette. It was Cannonaded at the same 
time by the armed vessels, and a derc- 
onsti'ation was made on it by the di- 
vision under General Vaughan. Thus 
surrounded the little garrison of 
seventy men was forced to surrender, 
with no other stipulation than safety 
to their persons and the property 
they had in the fort. Major Andre 
was aide de camp to Sir Henry, and 
signed the articles of capitulation. 

The British Commander, finding 
that West Point was securely guard- 
ed, relinquished further designs 
against it and contented himself with 
strongly fortifying Stony Point, leav- 
ing in the recently built fort a gar- 
rison of more than six hundred men 
under the Command of Lieut. Col. 
Johnson, a brave and experienced of- 
ficer. 

Washington in order to checkmate 
Sir Henry Clinton, at once set in mo- 
tion plans for the recapture of Stony 
Point, and Fort Lafayette. 

That Stony Point was considered 
a most important position by Sir 
Henry Clinton is obvious, from the 
correspondence on the subject be- 
tween the latter and Major General 
James Patterson, Commander of Ar- 
tillery, and their several staff officers. 

In the "Collections of the New 
York Historical Society for 1875," let- 
ters of great interest can be found 
dated from Stony Point from June 7th, 
1779, to June 10, 1779, pp. 69, 70, 72, 
73—81. 

Gen'l Pattison under date of June 
9, 1779, writes to Lord Viscount Town- 
shend, describing this stronghold; 
"Stony Point is by Nature exceeding- 
ly strong, from its several Command- 
ing Heights, and being almost insu- 
lar, by means of a Swamp & Creek 
from the River is very inaccessible; 
but the Commander in Chief (Sir 
Henry Clinton) having determined to 
maintain this Post, and to render it as 



86 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



strong as possible, gave Orders for 
Batterys to be erected on the several 
Eminences— Working Parties were 
immediately employed under the Di- 
rection of the Engineer's (Captn 
Mercer & Lt Fyers) and so much Dili- 
gence has been used, that there are 
already Seven Facine-Batteries near- 
ly completed. The Guns intended for 
these Works are two 24 Prs and two 
18 Prs, four 12 Prs, 6 Six Prs, and one 
3 Pr, one 10 Inch Mortar, one 8 Inch 
Howitzer, two Royal Mortars, and 
two Cohorns do— * * * There is no 
Ground that can be said to Command 
it except one Hill which is at upwards 
of a Mile Distance, but the almost un- 
surmountable Difficulty's, which must 
attend bringing heavy Cannon over 
the Haverstraw Mountains makes any 
serious attack little to be expected; 
however, I have Order'd all the Woods 
in our Front and on our right flank 
to be cut down, and Abattis to be 
made in every Part of practicable 
Approach." 

The above opinion so confidently 
expressed is utterly Confuted by a 
message from the same source, and 
also to Lord Townshend, written at 
New York City, and dated July 26, 
1779, eleven days after the events de- 
scribed. 

"My Lord, 

In the letter I had the honor to 
write to your Lordship of the 9th of 
June from Stony Point, I took the Lib- 
erty of giving a Detail of the several 
Movements of this Army, from its tak- 
ing the Field to that Time, and in 
my last Letter of the 4th July I men- 
tioned the Number of Troops left, as 
well for the Defence of the Post as the 
opposite one of Verplank's Point. 

I am exceedingly sorry now to in- 
form your Lordship of the very Ex- 
traordinary and sudden Revolution 
which has since happened at Stony 
Point — a Post considered to be safe 
against any Coup-de-Main, and cap- 
able of resisting almost any Open at- 
tack that cou'd be made against it, but 
the Enemy notwithstanding made a 
very bold & daring Attempt on the 



15th Instant about 12 o'clock at Night 
and Carry'd it by Storm in less than 
twenty minutes. — The particulars of 
this Singular & Unfortunate Event, 
which has filled every one with aston- 
ishment, are as yet very little known. 
The wounded Officers who are brought 
down to New York differ so much in 
their Relation of that Night's Trans- 
actions that it is difficult to form a 
real Judgment of them. 

The Military Character of Lieut. 
Col. Johnson of the 17th Reg't, who 
Commanded there, has been so well 
Established, as not to admit easily of 
a Belief that he suffered his Garrison 
to be surprised, yet it is too certain 
that two if not three columns of the 
enemy penetrated different Abbatis 
at the same time, were almost instant- 
ly in possesion of the advanced works, 
and in a very few minutes masters of 
the body of the place. What the num- 
ber of the assailants were, is not sat- 
isfactorly known. They give out 
themselves that it did not exceed six 
hundred, if that be true, their enter- 
prise must have been a very rash one, 
as the defenders were nearly as many. 

The attack was commanded by a 
Brig'dr Genl., Wayne, and it must 
in Justice be allow'd to his Credit, as 
well as to all Acting under his Orders, 
that no Instance of Inhumanity was 
shown to any of the unhappy Cap- 
tives — No one was unecessarily put to 
the Sword or wantonly wounded. Our 
Loss in Killed is not yet ascertained, 
but it is thought to be trifling, and 
the Number of wounded amounts only 
to one Captain, four Subalterns, & 
about eight and thirty Men, of whom 
is one Corporal of the Artillery. 

The Rebels assert that they had 
only four Men Killed. Our loss in 
Prisoners, a very serious one. Almost 
the whole of the 17th Reg't, two Com- 
panys of the 71st (Grenadiers), about 
Sixty of the Loyal American Corps, 
and I am particularly grieved to say, 
one Captain, one Subaltern, four Non 
Comm'd Officers, 39 Privates & one 
Drummer of the Artillery." 

The haughty Briton took the defeat 
very much to heart. He was dazed 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



by the ease and celerity with which 
the really hazardous and difficult feat 
was accomplished. He fully realized 
that Wayne had by this one achieve- 
ment written his name among the 
world's heroes, undimmed by any act 
of cruelty in the attainment of his 
victory.— S. D. H. 

Now let us turn to the American 
side of the story. "According to 
Washington's plan," (the capture of 
Stany Point) "it was to be atten".pted 
by light infantry only, at night, and 
with the utmost secrecy, securing 
every person they met to prevent dis- 
covery. Between one and two hun- 
dred chosen men and officers were to 
make the surprise; preceded by a van- 
guard of prudent, determined men 
well commanded, to remove obstruc- 
tions, secure sentries, and drive in the 
guards. The whole were to advance 
with fixed bayonets and unloaded 
muskets; all was to be done with the 
bayonet. These parties were to be 
followed by the main body, at a small 
distance, to support and reinforce 
them, or to bring then: off in case of 
failure. All were to wear whitecock- 
ades or feathers, and to have a watch- 
word, so as to be distinguished from 
the enemy. The hour of midnight was 
the time chosen. 

On getting possession of Stony 
Point, Wayne was to turn its guns 
upon Fort Lafayette and the shipping. 
A detachment was to march down 
from West Point by Peekskill, to the 
vicinity of Fort Lafayette, and hold 
itself to join in the attack upon it, as 
soon as the cannonade began from 
Stony Point." 

On the 15th of July, about mid-day, 
Wayne set out with his light infantry 
from Sandy Beach, fourteen miles dis- 
tant from Stony Point. The roads 
were rough, narrow and uneven, and 
wound across the rcorasses, and 
through the defiles that skirted the 
western base of Dunderbergh. About 
eight in the evening the column ar- 
rived within cannon shot of the fort 
without raising any alarm. Not a dog 
barked along the line of march, every 



canine had been very mysteriously put 
to death a day or two before. The 
column was halted, and Wayne and 
some of his most trusted officers made 
a careful reconnoissance of the ap- 
proaches to the fort, which done, they 
returned to the main body. At half- 
past eleven o'clock the word to march 
was given in low tones. Under the 
guidance of a negro of the neighbor- 
hood, who had frequently carried in 
fruit to the garrison and served the 
Americans as a spy. He led the way, 
accompanied by two strong men under 
the guise of farmers. The countersign 
was given to the first sentinel, posted 
on high ground west of the morass. 
While the negro talked with him, the 
supposed countrymen seized and gag- 
ged him. The sentinel posted at the 
head of the causeway was served in 
like manner. Thus far no alarm had 
been given. The causeway being 
overflowed it was sometime after 
twelve o'clock before the troops could 
cross; leaving three hundred men 
under General Muhlenberg, on the 
western side of the morass, as a re- 
serve. At the foot of the promontory 
the troops were divided into two 
columns, for simultaneous attacks on 
opposite sides of the works. One hun- 
dred and fifty volunteers, led by Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Fleury, seconded by 
Major Posey, formed the vanguard of 
the right column. One hundred vol- 
unteers under Major Stewart, the 
vanguard of the left. In advance of 
each was a forlorn hope of twenty 
men, one led by Lieutenant Gibbon, 
the other by Lieutenant Knox; it was 
their desperate duty to remove the 
abattis. So well had the whole af- 
fair been conducted, that the Ameri- 
cans were close upon the outworks 
before they were discovered. There 
was then severe skirmishing at the 
pickets. The Americans used their 
bayonets; the others fired their mus- 
kets. The reports roused the garri- 
son. Stony Point was in an uproar. 
The drums beat to arms; every one 
hurried to his station, the works were 
quickly manned, and a tremendous 
fire of grape shot and musketry 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



opened upon the assailants. 

The two attacking columns forced 
their way with the bayonet, at op- 
posite points, surmounting every ob- 
stacle. Colonel Fleury was the first 
to enter the fort and strike the British 
flag. Major Posey sprang to the ram- 
parts and shouted, "the fort is our 
own." Wayne, who led the right 
column, received at the inner abattis a 
contusion on the head from a musket 
ball, and would have fallen to the 
ground, but his two aides-de-camp 
supported him. Thinking it was a 
death wound, "Carry me into the fort," 
said he, "and let me die at the head of 
my column." He was borne in be- 
tween his two aides, and soon recov- 
ered his self-possession. The two 
columns arrived mearly at the same 
time, and met in the center of the 
works. The garrison surrendered at 
discretion. At daybreak, as Washing- 
ton directed, the guns of the fort were 
turned on Fort Lafayette and the 
shipping. The latter cut their cables 
and dropped down the river. Through 
a series of blunders, the detachment 
that came down from West Point, 
which was to have co-operated, did 
not arrive in time, and came unpro- 
vided with suitable ammunition for 
their battering artillery. This part of 
the enterprise therefore failed; Fort 
Lafayette held out." 

"The Storming of Stony Point," says 
Irving, "stands out in bold relief, as 
one of the most brilliant achievements 
of the war. The Americans had ef- 
fected it without the firing of a 
musket. On their part, it was the 
silent, deadly work of the bayonet; 
the fierce resistance they met at the 
outset may be judged by the havoc 
made in their forlorn hope; out of 
twenty-two men, seventeen were 
either killed or wounded. The whole 
loss of the Americans was fifteen 
killed and eighty-three wounded. Of 
the garrison sixty-three were slain, 
including two officers; five hundred 
and fifty-three were taken prisoners, 
among whom were a lieutenant col- 
onel, four captains and twenty-three 
subaltern officers." 



Wayne in his despatches, writes, 
"The humanity of our brave soldiery, 
who scorned to take the lives of a 
vanquished foe when calling for 
mercy, reflects the highest honor on 
them, and accounts for the few of the 
enemy killed on the occasion." 

His words reflect honor on himself. 

Lossing, in his "Pictorial Field 
Book of the Revolution," vol. II, p. 
183, gives the following graphic narra- 
tive of a visit to Stony Point, in 1849, 
which possesses great local interest. 
The ferryman mentioned in the sketch 
is David Ten Eyck, father of our es- 
teemed citizen, Capt. James B. Ten 
Eyck, of Peekskill, who, by the way, 
was present when Mr- Lossing arrived 
at the paternal home, and well re- 
members the circumstances hereafter 
narrated. — S. D. H. 

"It was 3 o'clock in the afternoon 
when I crossed the ferry at Ver- 
planck's Point, in a small row boat. 
This was the old King's Ferry of the 
Revolution, where the good Washing- 
ton so often crossed, and where bat- 
talion after battalion of troops, royal 
French, and American, at various 
times spanned the Hudson, with their 
long lines of flat boats, for it was the 
main crossing-place of armies moving 
between the eastern and middle states. 
It was here, too, that a portion of the 
forces of Burgoyne crossed the Hud- 
son when on their march (as prison- 
ers) from Massachusetts to Virginia. 
The landing place on the Stony Point 
side, in former times was in the Cove 
at the opening of the marsh, on the 
north of the promontory; now the 
western terminus of the ferry is a lit- 
tle above, at the cottage of Mr. Ten 
Eyck, the jolly old ferryman who has 
plied the oar there, almost without in- 
termission, ever since 1784. He was 
sitting upon his door stone when his 
son moored the boat at its rock fas- 
tening, and as we ascended the bank, 
the old gentleman held up a bottle of 
whiskey, and proffered a draught as 
a pledge of welcome to the "millionth 
man" that had crossed his ferry. Pre- 
ferring milk to whiskey, I sat down 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



89 



under the riched-leaved branches of 
a maple and regaled myself with that 
healthful beverage. While the vet- 
eran and two of his neighbors were 
enjoying the aqua vitae I sketched the 
old King's Ferry sign board, with its 
device which was nailed to a sapling 
near, and then accompanied by the 
old man and his companion, started 
for a ramble over the rough site of 
the fort on Stony Point." 

Peekskill, Dec. 1, 1779. 

Charles Moore, whose house and 
farm at West Point have been taken 
for military purposes by Gen'l Put- 
nam, requests Gov'r Clinton "to allow 
some things which have been sent him 
by friends in New York City, by means 
of a flag, be delivered to Mr. Daniel 
Birdsall." 

The Governor, on Dec. 3, by his sec- 
retary, Robert Benson, informs Moore, 
"that in order to put a stop to the 
abuse of flags by introducing an un- 
due traffic with the Enemy he has or- 
dered the several Parcels of Goods 
sent by the last Flag, without his con- 
sent having been previously obtained, 
to be deposited in Mr. Davis's store, 
who has passed his Rec't for them, & 
as his Excellency is not yet come to 
a Determination in what manner to 
dispose of these Effects, he cannot 
order those directed to you to be de- 
livered." 

Peekskill, Dec. 2, 1779. 

"Sir: I was last evening honored 
with yours of the 29th per Mr. Beld- 
ing." I desire to say that Gen'l Wash- 
ington approves of your course." 

W. Heath. 
To Gov. Clinton 

On the following day, Gen'l Heath 
complains, writing from Peekskill to 
the Governor, "that the troops have 
been eight Days without Bread. It 
is thought that want of water to run 
the mills causes the scarcity." 

Peekskill, Feby. 15, 1780. 

Gen'l Heath writes Gov. Clinton 
"that owing to continued ill health, he 
is obliged to retire from the army, and 
that Major Gen'l Robert Howe, will 
command during his absence." 



Verplancks Point, April 9, 1780. 
Capt. Bannister acknowledges the 
receipt, under date of 7th instant. 
Major Sargent's "request for a Maga- 
zien." 

Peekskill, April 17, 1780. 

"D'r Sir. I hearr inclose the orders 
we give to the Commanding Officers 
of the trupes ordered out on the lines 
agreeable to yr Genii orders to the 
27th of March, the fieaild officers or- 
dered out one class, which if the holl 
marched would amount to 95 men and 
Two Capts, and Two Subs, with six 
days' provisions for 15 days, (Sic) to 
be relieved when thair provissions is 
gown. I don't know whears they will 
get any more, which I feair they will 
plunder, the Inhabitance or desart 
home. I cawled yesterday on Gen'l 
How, to know wheair they draw or 
now, the Geniral Informes me that he 
did not know anything about the mil- 
itia being Ordered out. He Could not 
be answerable for ordering of them 
Provision. I should be glad if I should 
bee directed not to order out the re- 
leffs (reliefs) as we air ordered to 
raise the Guards for the State, as it 
will distress the farmers at this sea- 
son to be ordered out for 15 days each, 
on Rotation of duty, untill they air 
releved by the guards now to be 
raised, and they paying their pro- 
posion agreeable to their surcum- 
stances for raising the same. And you 
will Oblige your Humole Sav't 

Sam'l Drake. 
To his Excellency George Clinton. 

Here are two very interesting docu- 
ments: 

"Camp West Point, July 19, 1780. 
Capt. Graham. 

Sir, The Legislature of the State of 
New York, having enacted that Ten 
Bushels of wheat shall be given to 
each Draught (Draft) now Raised for 
three months, if they will engage to 
serve that time and two months Long- 
er in any one of the Regular Ras'd 
Regiments of the State, and have fur- 
ther enacted that fifty dollars be given 
as a bounty to any person who will 
engage for the war in any of the said 



90 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 

Regular Regiments; you will there- vised them to put up for the night at 

fore, repair to the house of Mr. Joshua Mr. Miller's, which they did; notwith- 

Hyatt, in the Mannor of Cortlandt, or standing they had Arnold's pass, Capt. 

wherever any of the Recruits may be ^oyd was not entirely satisfied. It 

assembled, and do your endeavor to „,„„ +i, /i i„ • ^ v, *. 

•^ .^, „ ^, was the delay occasioned by the stay 

engage as many as possible for the ^„^.„,^, . ,, ,, 

Second New York Regiment; promises ^\ ^^^"^^ ^' ^^^^ eventually led to An- 

by you made in Consequence of the "''® ^ capture. 

above will be carried into execution. The conspirators left Miller's house 

By Your Humble Sert. before daylight on the morning of the 

Philip Cortlandt, Col. 25th. A short distance beyond Crom- 

The State of New York. pond corners on the road leading to 

To Capt. Charles Graham, Dr. Pine's Bridge., Smith suddenly decid- 

July 20, to cash pd at Martin's for ed to desert Andre, S. D. H. 

Dinners D 12 j^jy 29- 1780. Maj. Genr'l. Robert 

21st at Capt Hoyts for Lodg- Howe, writes from his "Headquarters 

ing and hors feed 20 ^^ ^^^ Highlands to Gov. Clinton, de- 

23 at Colo Benedicts for ^ tailing some proposed Military opera- 

Sundries (0 tions." my first movement will be 

^^ Daniel Mead's for diner .12 ^j^^^ ^j^^ ^^g^ gi^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ j^ 

" Capt Hoyts for Liquor (.j^g vicinity of King's Ferry, my next 

and hors feed 12 ^^ju ^^ guided as the motions of the 

^' Jones Manor Cortland.. J Enemy shall point out. Gov. Clinton, 

24 " Clarks for Lodging &c. 34 knowing of the plans under way for 
pd Mr. Joshua Hyatt for ^^e relief of Fort Schuyler, on the 
^ several Necessarys for foregoing date, orders from Peekskill, 
[] Brewers 3 q^j ^^^y j^^y^ Deputy Quartermas- 

25 " Col Hyatt's 15 ^gj, q^^.j .>rp^ provide transportation 

Cash pd for Mr. Hatfield ^^j. ^j^g forwarding of 100,000 rounds 

for 3 days horse hire.. .80 ^j ammunition from the Military 

Liquor and Victuals.. . . lAQ^ q^^^.^^ at West Point, to be forwarded 

to Fort Schuyler." 

Dollars 3.81 

Errors Accepted "^^^ Governor, on the same date, and 

P. Charles GIraham. ^^^° from Peekskill, issues warrants 

to hold Col. Goose Van Schaick, giving 

Peekskill, 25th, 1780. ti^g necessary authority to impress, 

"Sir," Yesterday I was favored "one hundred and fifty teams and 

with a letter signed by the Hon'l. wagons, fifty tons of Flour or an equi- 

Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esq. by order of valent in Wheat, ninty thousand 

the Senate dated 30th of June and di- weight of Beef or fat Cattle; or equiv- 

rected to Eben'r Purdy, Solomon alent thereto, for the use and service 

Purdy and myself: the purpose of of the Army. Also a second warrant 

which was requesting us to solicit a to Lieut. Col. Henry J. Van Rensse- 

number of Shirts and Linens for over- laer for fifty Teams and Wagons, fifty 

alls to be applied for the relief this bbls. of Flour and fifty Head of Fat 

state troops. Said Shirts and Linens Cattle". 

to be collected by the 17th instant, &c. prom Headquarters at Peekskill, 

Ebenezer Boyd. juiy 31st, 1780, Washington wrote to 

"To Gov'r. Geo. Clinton." Brig. Gen'l. Fellows, of the Massa- 

Capt. Boyd, was the officer who in- chusetts Militia, "To detach five hun- 

tercepted Joshua Hett Smith, and Maj. dred men of the Militia under his com- 

John Andre, near the house of An- mand and properly officered to march 

dreas Miller, on the Crompond road on at once for Albany, and report to Brig. 

the night of Sept. 24th, 1780, and ad- Gen'l. Robert Van Rensselaer, at Al- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



91 



bany, for the relief of Fort Schuyler, 
&c. 

A copy of the following, was sent to 
these officers, viz.: Gen'l Swartout, 
Colo's. Drake, Thomas, Crane and 
Hammond. 

Peekskill, August 1st, 1780. 

Sir: His Exc'y. Gen'l. Washington, 
having in contemplation a movement 
of very Capital Consequences has re- 
quested me to hold the Militia of this 
State to move at a moments warning. 
You will therefore issue orders cor- 
respondent to his instructions". 

Geo. Clinton, Governor. 

The Governor, also on the same day 
orders Lt. Col. Cooper, to proceed with 
one hundred men of his Command to 
re-inforce Capt. Lawrence, at Tappan. 

Under date of Peekskill, August 3rd, 
1780, Washington, issued the follow- 
ing instructions to Arnold. 

"You are to proceed to West Point, 
and take Command of that post and 
its dependencies, in which are includ- 
ed all from Fishkill to King's Ferry. 
The Corps of infantry and Cavalry, ad- 
vanced towards the Enemy's lines on 
the East Side of the River, will also 
be under your orders, and will take 
directions from you; and you will en- 
deavor to obtain every Intelligence of 
the Enemy's motions. 

The Garrison of West Point is to 
consist of the Militia of New Hamp- 
shire and Massachusetts; for which 
reason, as soon as the number from 
those states amounts to twelve hun- 
dred, the New York Militia under the 
Command of Colonel Malcom, are to 
join the Main Army on the West Side 
of the River and, when the number 
from Massachusetts Bay alone, shall 
amount to fifteen hundred Rank and 
File, the Militia of New Hampshire 
will also march to the Main Army. 
Colonel James Livingston's Regiment 
is, till further orders, to garrison the 
redoubts at Stony and Verplanck's 
Points." 

It is readily seen frorc the forego- 
ing, how great was the confidence 
reposed in Arnold by the Commander- 



in-Chief, and how basely this trust 
was abused and betrayed less than 
two months later. — S. D. H. 

King's Ferry, 
11th Sept., 1780. 
His Excellency Governor Clinton. 

"Sir, I take the Liberty to request 
your Excellency to inform me, 
whether those officers and Soldiers 
of my Regt. belonging to the State 
of New York, are to receive any 
clothing from, or the Depreciation of 
their Pay to be made good by the 
State," &c. 

With sentiments of Esteem, 
Most Obed't Serv't, 

James Livingston." 

To this Gov'r Clinton replies some- 
what in a diplomatic vein. 

"Sir, I am fav'd with your Letter of 
this Day- The Officers and Privates 
of the independ't Corps who belong 
to & are credited to this State are 
entitled to the Clothing & necessaries 
provided by the State, in like manner 
as the five Battalions of this State: 
and I have no Doubt that they will 
be included in every other Provision 
which the Legislature may think prop- 
er to Make. 

I am &c 

G. Clinton." 
"To Colo. Js Lixingston" 

On Sept 26, 1780, Genl Washington 
wrote to the President of Congress, 
of Arnold's treason and of his escape 
to the "Vulture." Of Andre's Captors 
he writes as follows: "I do not know 
the party, that took Major Andre^ but 
it is said that it only consisted of a 
few militia, who acted in such a 
manner, upon the occasion as does 
them the highest honor, and proves 
them to be men of great virtue. 

They were offered I am informed, 
a large sum of money for his re- 
lease, and as many goods as they 
would demand, but without any effect. 
Their conduct gives them a just claim 
to the thanks of their Country, and I 
also hope they will be otherwise re- 
warded. As soon as I know their 
names, I shall take great pleasure in 



92 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



transmitting them to Congress." 

The foregoing words were written 
by Washington, within a few hours 
after the event occurred, which made 
the names of John Paulding, David 
Williams and Isaac Van Wart, fa- 
mous in the annals of the Revolu- 
tion, and also entitled them to the 
homage of their countrymen for all 
time. Three counties in Northern 
Ohio bear their names, in recognition 
of the service which they so unselfish- 
ly, so modestly and so effectually per- 
formed.— S. D. H. 

The same day in writing to Roch- 
ambeau' he says, "General Arnold, 
who has sullied his former glory by 
the blackest treason, has escaped to 
the enemy. This is an event that oc- 
casions me equal regret and mortifi- 
cation; but traitors are the growth of 
every country, and in a revolution of 
the present nature, it is more to be 
wondered at, that the catalogue is so 
small, than that there have been found 
a few." 

On Nov. 2, 1780, Gen'l Heath, then 
at West Point, informs Gov'r Clinton, 
"Sir, Joshua Smith is just sent here 
to be confined; should you demand 
him- it ?s my duty immediately to de- 
liver him." 

Peekskill, Nov- 27, 1780. 

"Sir, I have to inform you that on 
the 20th Inst, one of my Patroles took 
Sylvanus Huson, a noted Villian and 
Cow Thief, who had been stealing 
Cattle & had taken three Inhabitants; 
one of whom Doc'r Brewer a wortliy 
neighbor of mine, was mortally 
wounded, (of which he died since) in 
their attempt to pass; this FelloAv 
Hughson, is now at W^est Point & I 
wish to have a General Court-Martial 
appointed to try him for Man & Horse 
Stealing as both can be proved 
against him. If your Excellency 
thinks good write a Line to Gen'l 
Heath, he will appoint John Strong, 
Esq., Judge Advocate for that Post to 
officiate in this Business, as he knows 
a great deal of this Fellow's Conduct 
and has the Proceedings upon his 
Trial when Gen'l McDougall Com- 



manded here. Be pleased to send 
the appointm't P. the Express & leave 
a Blank for the President to fix a 
Day of Trial & Place. 

I am, with great Respect, Your Ex- 
cellency's Most Obed't & very hum'l 
Serv't, 

Samll Drake. 

P. S. I wou'd take it as a great 
Favour to know if there was any In- 
telligence from my son Joshua & the 
Prisoners taken at Fort Schuyler; or 
if there was any Flag passed or to 
pass relative to them." 
His Excellency Geo. Clinton, Esq. 

To the foregoing Gov'r Clinton on 
Dec. 2, 1780, replies as follows: 

"Dear Sir. I am this moment fav- 
ored with your letter of the 27th Ulto. 
If the Charges ag't Hughson are as 
you mention in your Letter, Man & 
Horse stealing, they are not Cogniz- 
able before a C't Martial. By the late 
act of the Legislature, a Person hav- 
ing gone over to & joined the Enemy 
& afterwards coming out and secretly 
lurk in any part of the State is sub- 
ject to be tried by a C't Martial as a 
Spy. If, therefore, you can Certify to 
me that Hughson is of that Char- 
acter & give me the particular Detail 
of his Character, I will order a C't 
Martial for his trial." 

No Flag is yet, nor can be now 
sent, until the lakes are frozen; if one 
had been sent 'tis not probable we 
shou'd have by its return of Capt 
Drake as it is most likely he may 
have carried to Niagara." 

G- C. 
"To Colonel Drake." 

The following letter will lead the 
critical reader to observe, that the 
doughty Colonel, must at times have 
employed an amanuensis. Some of 
the letters ascribed to him were fair- 
ly well written, but the spelling in the 
forthcoming one would serve as a 
model for the epistolary effusions of 
the late "Josh Billings" or "Artemus 
Ward." 

Peekskill, December 6, 1780. 

"Sir, I am under the necessity of 
trubling you with the state of our 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



93 



afairs; the Civil and military met to- 
gether and Considered who was dan- 
gros parsons (persons) who in their 
opinion did harber the cow boys; we 
ordered such who we thought dan 
grous to remove, and apinted five of 
the Civil and military officers to se 
them go of and what they should carry 
of that exchanged teams with the 
twiggs ( Whigs) from below; we a 
greed, that they should carry six 
months' provisions with them, if they 
had not received a sufficience from 
the parsons below one cow to fore in 
a famely and so in proposhon and 
two old horses. Gen'll Heath refuses 
to let the famely pass his gards with 
the above articles; we shall be care- 
full of what they carry below- all that 
we request of you. Sir, is to desire 
Gen'll Heath to order his gard to 
promit the parsons to pass his gards, 
which will be for the safety of this 
Quorter; or we sliall be under Neses- 
ety of leving the County. I remain 
your very Humbel Servent." 

Samuel Drake. 
"To His Ex'l George Clinton." 

Gov'r Clinton replies to this request 
promptly the next day, to the effect 
that "Gen'l Heath, to whom I have 
formerly written on the subject, will 
readily give a pass for the Purpose, 
with as much provisions as he shall 
conceive necessary for their imme- 
diate subsistence Six month's pro- 
visions he deems "too much." * * "I 
dare say Gen'l Heath on seeing this 
Letter, will from time to time on prop- 
er application grant them his Pass 
for such further supplies as may ap- 
pear to be reasonable. 

Geo. Clinton." 
"Colo. Drake." 

Dec. 22, 1780. 

Philip Pell, Junior, writes to Rob- 
ert Benson, the Governor's Secretary, 
that, "I was in Westchester County 
last Saturday and found that there 
were no troops there, but a few Con- 
tinental at Pine's Bridge, which can 
afford protection only to Crom pond. 
The rest of the County altogether 
open to the ravages of De Lancey's 
thieves." 



John Paulding's Affidavit. 

John Paulding, of the County of 
Westchester, one of the persons who 
took Major Andre, being duly sworn, 
saith, that he was three times during 
the Revolutionary War, a prisoner 
with the enemy; the first time he was 
taken at White Plains, when under 
the command of Capt. Requa, and car- 
ried to New York and confined in the 
Sugar House. The second time was 
taken near Tarrytown, when under the 
command of Lieutenant Peacock, and 
confined in the North Dutch Church, 
in New York; that both these times 
he escaped and the last of them only 
four days before the Capture of Andre; 
that the last time he was taken he was 
wounded, and lay in the hospital in 
New York, and was discharged on the 
arrival of the news of peace there; 
that he and his companions. Van Wart 
and Williams, among other articles 
which they took from Major Andre, 
were his watch, horse, saddle and 
bridle, and which they retained as 
prizes; that they delivered over Andre, 
and the papers found on him, to Col- 
onel Jameson, who commanded on the 
lines; that shortly thereafter they 
were summoned to appear as witnesses 
at the headquarters of General Wash- 
ington, at Tappan; that they were at 
Tappan some days, and examined as 
witnesses before the courtmartial on 
the trial of Smith, who brought Andre 
a horse from on board the sloop-of- 
war: that while there. Col. William S. 
Smith redeemed the watch from them 
for thirty guineas; which, and the 
money received for the horse, saddle 
and bridle, they divided equally among 
themselves and four other persons, 
who belonged to their party, but when 
Andre was taken, were about half a 
mile off, keeping a look-out on a hill, 
that Andre had no gold or silver 
money with him, but only some Con- 
tinental bills, to the amount of about 
eighty dollars; that the medals given 
him and Van Wart and Williams, by 
Congress were presented to them by 
General Washington, when the army 
was encamped at Verplanck's Point; 
and that they, on the occasion, dined 



94 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



at his table; that Williams removed 
some years ago from Westchester 
County to the northern part of the 
State, but where, particularly, the de- 
ponent does not know. And the de- 
ponent referring . to the affidavit of 
Van Wart, taken on the 28th of Jan- 
uary last, and which he has read, says 
that the same is in substance true. 
Signed John Paulding, 

Sworn before me, this 6th day of 
May, 1817. 

S'g'd Charles G. Van Wyck 

Master in Chancery. 



Notes from Personal InterTiew with 
Johu Pauldiug, Why he Wore a 
British Uniform. 

"Among the papers of the late Gen'l 
Pierre Van Cortlandt, of Peekskill, are 
notes taken during an interview be- 
tween himself and John Paulding, one 
of the Captors, of Major Andre. April 
16, 1817. John Paulding in the year 
1780, was a sergeant under Lieutenant 
Peacock, who was stationed with his 
corps at Daniel Requa's, on the road 
leading from Tarrytown to Bedford. 
This command was stationed on the 
lines to protect the inhabitants against 
the marauding parties of British cow 
thieves and was in pay either from the 
State of New York, or from the Unit- 
ed States, and consisted of between 
thirty and forty men. Early one morn- 
ing they were surprised and attacked 
by Captain Totten, with upward of one 
hundred British refugee dragoons, and 
John Paulding with about twenty men 
of Peacock's corps, was taken pris- 
oners. Some badly wounded. Daniel 
Requa and Thomas Dean were also 
taken, Requa badly wounded. John 
Paulding and the other prisoners were 
immediately marched to New York and 
confined in the North Church, where 
he remained for about three months. 
One evening the prisoners being al- 
lowed to work by squads in the yard, 
Paulding taking advantage of the Hes- 
sian Sentinel, turning his back toward 
him, leaped the board fence into the 
yard of an adjacent house. Here he 
was seen by a black woman, who fav- 



ored his escape into the street. He at 
once repaired to the house of a friend, 
Nathaniel Leviness, who lived near his 
late prison. This friend furnished him 
with provisions, after secreting him 
for the night, and purchased for him 
a British uniform (a Yager coat, green, 
laced with red), in which to effect his 




JOHN PAULDING. 

escape from the city. Mr. Leviness 
also advised him to keep out of the 
road as much as possible until he 
reached Bloomingdale, where he might 
find a small boat in which to cross the 
river. Paulding followed this advice, 
and near Bloomingdale espied a small 
boat aground. He went into the 
bushes nearby and took a nap until 



F^ROM 1609 TO 1870. 



95 



the tide was high enough to float the 
boat. Just in the dusli of the evening 
he got in and paddled across the Hud- 
son, landing somewhere near Bull's 
Ferry, on the Jersey shore. He then 
made the best of his way to the Am- 
erican Camp, near English Neighbor- 
hood; was carried to the Command- 
ing officer (who he thinks was the 
Marquis de Lafayette) and a pass was 
given him to return to Westchester 
County. He travelled up and re- 
crossed the river at West Point and 
went directly to Haight's, now Som- 
erstown Plains, in the Manor of Cort- 
landt. Paulding was very anxious to 
see his mother, who was then living 
at the old home of Peter Paulding, at 
the Old Saw Mill river, three miles 
east of Tarrytown on the road lead- 
ing to White Plains. His father was 
fearful to remain below and resided 
in the Manor of Cortlandt, where he 
was shortly after joined by his wife. 

Paulding and six others went from 
the Manor of Cortlandt to Daniel Re- 
qua's, the place where Paulding had 
been made prisoner. They had heard 
that a number of horses had been stol- 
en, and formed themselves into a 
scouting party to intercept the thieves 
if they should attempt to pass their 
booty to New York. Four of the party 
were stationed at old William David's, 
on the hill, and the other three, Pauld- 
ing, "Van Wart and Williams stationed 
themselves on the Post road at a small 
brook hidden by some bushes, just 
above Tarrytown. This was, he 
thinks, the fourth day after his escape 
from the North Church. * * * 

The British uniform procured to 
favor his escape from New York, he 
wore the day they captured Andre, 
and this undoubtedly deceived Andre 
into his first unguarded question, for 
in reply to his asking as to what party 
they belonged, Paulding answered, 
"Look at my dress and you can not 
be mistaken." "If you belong to the 
lower party," said Andre, "So do I." 

Isaac Van Wart's Affidayit. 

Isaac Van Wart, of the town of 
Mount Pleasant, in the County of 



Westchester, being duly sworn, doth 
depose and say, that he is one of the 
three persons who arrested Major 
Andre, during the American Revolu- 
tionary War, and conducted him to the 
American Camp. That he, this depon- 
ent, together with David Williams and 
John Paulding, had secreted them- 
selves at the side of the highway, for 
the purpose of detecting any persons 
coming from or having unlawful inter- 
course with the enemy, between 
the two armies a service not uncom- 
mon in those times. That this de- 
ponent and his companions were 
armed with muskets, and upon seeing 
Major Andre approaching the place 
where they were concealed, they rose 
and presented their muskets at him, 
and required him to stop, which he did. 
He then asked them whether they be- 
longed to his party; and then they 
asked him which was his party? To 
which he replied, the lower party. 
Upon which they, deeming a little 
stratagem, under such circumstances 
not only jujstifiable, but necessary, 
gave him to understand that they were 
of his party; upon which he joyfully 
declared himself to be a British officer, 
and told them he had been out on very 
particular business. Having ascer- 
tained thus much, this deponent and 
his companions undeceived him as to 
their characters, declaring themselves 
Americans, and that he must consider 
himself their prisoner. Upon this, 
with seeming unconcern, he said he 
had a pass from General Arnold, which 
he exhibited, and then insisted on their 
permitting him to proceed. But they 
told him that as he had confessed him- 
self a British officer, they deemed it 
to be their duty to convey him to the 
American camp; and then took him 
into a wood, a short distance from the 
highway in order to guard against be- 
ing surprised by parties of the enemy, 
who were frequently reconnoitering in 
that neighborhood. That when they 
had him in the wood they proceeded to 
search him, for the purpose of ascer- 
taining who and what he was, and 
found inside his stockings and boots, 
next to his bare feet, papers which 



96 



OiST OJ. 609T nO~iLi 



satisfied tliem that he was a spy. 
Majoi- Andre now showed them his 
gold watch, and remarked that it was 
evidence of his being a gentleman, and 
also promised to make them any re- 
ward which they might name if they 
would but permit him to proceed, 
which they refused. He then told 
them, that if they doubted the fulfil- 
ment of his promise, they might con- 
ceal him in some secret place, and 
keep him there until they could send 
to New York and receive their reward. 
And this deponent expressly declares 
that every offer made by Major Andre 
to them was promptly and resolutely 
refused. And as for himself, he sol- 
emnly declares, that he had not, and 
he does most sincerely believe that 
Paulding and Williams had not, any 
intention of plundering their prisoner; 
nor did they confer with each other, 
or even hesitate whether they should 
accept his promises; but, on the con- 
trary, they were, in the opinion of 
this deponent governed, like himself, 
by a deep interest in the cause of the 
country, and a strong sense of duty. 
And this deponent further says that 
he never visited the British camp, nor 
does he believe or suspect that either 
Paulding or Williams ever did, except 
that Paulding was once before Andre's 
capture, and once afterward made a 
prisoner by the British, as this de- 
ponent has been informed and believes. 
And this deponent for himself express- 
ly denies that he ever held any un- 
lawful traffic, or any intercourse 
whatever with the enemy. And — ap- 
pealing solemnly to that Omniscient 
Being, at whose tribunal he must soon 
appear— he doth expressly declare that 
all accusations, charging him there- 
with, are utterly untrue. 

Isaac Van Wart. 
Sworn before me, this 28th day of 
January, 1817. 

Jacob Radcliff, Mayor. 

The following extraordinary letter 
written by Arnold, is one of the most 
startling instances of deceit and du- 
plicity on record. It was first made 
public by the late Henry J. Raymond, 



October 7th, 1853, when the original 
monument to the captors of Andre was 
dedicated with imposing ceremonies. 
On this occasion, then Governor, Hor- 
atio Seymour, made the opening ad- 
dress, and Mr. Raymond the closing 
oration. 

Headquarters, Robinson House, 

September 12th, 1780. 

Dear Sir: — Your favor of the 7th, 
conveying to me an account of our 
misfortunes to the Southward, was de- 
livered to me on the 8th. 

I am happy to find that General 
Gates' information was so ill-founded. 
It is an unfortunate piece of business 
to that Hero, and may possibly blot 
his escutcheon with indelible infamy. 
It may not be right to censure char- 
acter at a distance, but I can not avoid 
remarking that his conduct on this 
occasion has in no wise disappointed 
my axpectations, or predictions on 
frequent occasions; and notwithstand- 
ing suggestions of his friends, that he 
had not retreated to the border of 
Virginia, he must have been at a great 
distance, and fully secure from danger, 
as he had no advice of the retreat of 
the Maryland troops for at least four 
days. 

Yours of the 8th, by Capt. Van der 
Horst and Lieut. McCall, were deliv- 
ered to me by those gentlemen on the 
9th. I have endeavored to render their 
situation pleasing to them, during 
their short stay with me; which re- 
spect I shall always be happy to pay 
to any gentleman who entitles himself 
to your introduction and recommen- 
dation. 

It is a matter much to be lamented 
that our Army is permitted to starve 
in a land of plenty. There is a fault 
somewhere; it ought to be traced up 
to the authors, and if it was pre- 
pense, they ought to be capitally pun- 
ished; that is in my opinion, the only 
means left to procure a regular sup- 
ply to the Army in future. 

Where shall I procure paper for 
the garrison as well as for my office? 
Col. Pickering, in a letter of the 28th, 
Informs me that he has not yet re- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



ceived the stores in his hands, or 
money to purchase any with. 

With sentiments of the most sin- 
cere regret and aiTection, I am, dear 
sir, 

Your obedient and humble servant, 
B. Arnold. 
Major General Greene, 

After reading the above Mr. Ray- 
mond commented thereon as follows: 

"Consider that this epistle, — burn- 
ing with indignation at the apparent 
misconduct of Gates, cordial in the 
extreme in its personal courtesy to- 
wards General Greene, solicitous for 
the comfort of the army, resentful to- 
wards those whose misconduct had 
involved it in want, was written the 
day after his first attempt to hold a 
personal interview with Major Andre, 
— upon his return to headquarters 
from the scene he had appointed for 
it, and in the midst of such thoughts 
as such incidents would naturally en- 
gender, — think upon the impenetrable 
hypocrisy of the man who, on the in- 
stant of returning baffled from such 
an errand, could coolly speak or 
dream of any escutcheon but his own 
being 'blotted with indelible infamy;' 
— and you can judge how secure must 
have been his hold upon the confi- 
dence of Washington, and how thick 
was the dark doubt of all honor and 
all faith, into which the apprehensive 
fears of that great leader must have 
plunged his mind, when the fact of 
Arnold's treason first broke upon his 
sight. 'Whom can we trust now?' 
were the simple words he addressed 
to La Fayette; but they imply a dread 
distrust; — they signalize the begin- 
ning of a gloomy despair; they point 
to the fact which imposed on him the 
supreme duty, from which there was 
no escape of crushing by all the ter- 
rors of martial law, whatever of vital- 
ity might still survive, in either army, 
of the portentous plot." 

The accompanying portrait of .John 
Paulding is a photograph of the 
bronze figure surmounting the monu- 
ment at Tarrytown, erected on the 
scene of the capture, and which was 



dedicated September 23, 1870. Ex- 
Governor Samuel J. Tilden presided, 
and our gifted townsman, Hon. Chaun- 
cey M. Depew, was the orator of the 
day; Major Genl. James W. Husted 
was grand marshal. Col. Geo. W. Rob- 
ertson was chief of the second di- 
vision of the parade, Abraham Vos- 
burgh Post No. 95, G. A. R., of which 
Col. Robertson was the commander, 
took part and marched with this di- 
vision, and was under the immediate 
command of Senior Vice John Smith, 
Jr. Among the vice presidents were 
the following well known citizens 
from Peekskill; Hon. D. Wiley Travis, 
Hon. Calvin Frost, Secretaries Nelson 
G. Foshay, A. D. Dunbar and Wm. H. 
Brown. Chas. F. Southard was a 
member of the Finance Committee. 

The following named gentlemen and 
firms were among the contributors to 
the Centennial expenses from Cort- 
landtown: Calvin Frost, Owen T. 
Griffin, Chauncey M. Depew, B. C. Ev- 
eringhim, W. D. Southard, Montross 
and Lent. D. W. Travis, Jas. H. Rob- 
ertson, Samuel A. Denike, Andrew 
Clark, Chas. F. Southard^ Cyrus Frost, 
James W. Husted, Geo. W. Robertson. 
James T. Sutton, Wm. H. Paulding, 
Horton and Mabie, N. G. & J. T. Fo- 
shay, Wm. S. Tompkins, Frederick R. 
Fowler, E. F. Bedell and Benjamin 
McCabe. 

Among those who took part in the 
exercises and occupied prominent 
places on the platform, were Pierre 
youngest son cf John Paulding, and 
John C. Paulding, a grandson. 

The Hon. Chauncey M. Depew began 
his oration in these words: 

"One hundred years ago the sun 
rose upon the same beautiful land- 
scape which surrounds us here to-day. 
The noble Hudson rolled in front, to 
the north were the Highlands, in their 
majesty and strength; on the west 
towered the mountains, enclosing the 
bay, and on the east spread valleys 
and hills, celebrated then, as now, for 
their picturesqueness and command- 
ing views. Beyond the loveliness of 
the situation, it had no greater claims 



98 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



upon the attention of the world than 
hundreds of places adorned by nature, 
which have made our state celebrated 
for the beauty and variety of its scen- 
ery. But when the sun went down 
this spot had become one of the fields 
priceless in the memory of mankind, 
where virtue is vindicated, and civ- 
ilization and liberty saved from great 
disaster. The story we repeat here 
has as much value as a lesson to the 
living, as a reverent tribute to the 
memory of the dead. 

History, traditions, legends forgot- 
ten, almost lost in the rapid march of 
events, and the wonderful develop- 
ment of material prosperity, are so re- 
vived by these commemorations, that 
our country, richer than any other in 
the commonwealth, in Revolutionary 
recollections, becomes, in every part, 
a perpetual teacher of the labors and 
sacrifices of patriotism to secure our 
independence. 

The happiness and progress of man- 
kind have as often been advanced or 
retarded by small events as by great 
battles. If the three hundred men 
with Leonidas stemmed the Persian 
torrent, and made Thermopylae the 
inspiration of twenty centuries, right 
here, a century ago to-day, three plain 
farmers of Westchester preserved the 
liberties of the American people." * * 
Referring to the men that captured 
Andre, Mr. Depew quoted the words 
of the immortal Washington, "The 
party that took Major Andre acted in 
such a manner as does them the high- 
est honor, and proves them to be men 
of great virtue; their conduct gives 
them a just claim to the thanks of 
their country." Mr. Depew resumes, 
"Congress acted promptly. It thanked 
them by resolution, granted to each 
an annuity of two hundred dollars for 
life, and twelve hundred and fifty dol- 
lars in cash, or the same amount in 
confiscated lands in Westchester 
County, and directed a silver medal 
bearing the motto, "Fidelity" on the 
one side, and "Vinclt Amor Patriae" 
on the other to be presented to them. 
The Legislature of the State of New 



York gave to each of them a farm in 
consideration — reads the act of "their 
virtue in refusing a large sum, of- 
fered to them by Major Andre, and 
a bribe to permit him to escape." 
Shortly after, Washington gave a 
grand dinner party at Verplanck's 
Point. At the table were his staff and 
the famous generals of the army, and, 
as honored guests, these three young 
men — Paulding, Williams and Van 
Wart — whose names were now house- 
hold words all over the land; and 
there, with solemn and impressive 
speech, Washington presented the 
medals. 

Paulding died in 1818, and in 1827 
the Corporation of the city of New 
York placed a monument over his 
grave in the old cemetery just north 
of Peekskill, reciting, "The Corpora- 
tion of the city of New York erected 
this Tomb as a Memorial Sacred to 
Public Gratitude," the Mayor deliver- 
ing the address, and a vast concourse 
participating in the ceremonies. Van 
Wart died in 1828, and, in Greenburgh 
church yard the citizens of this county 
erected a memorial in "Testimony of 
his virtuous and patriotic conduct." 
Williams died in Livingstonville, in 
Schoharie County, in 1831, and was 
buried with military honors. In 1876 
the state erected a monument, and his 
remains were re-interred in the old 
stone fort at Schoharie Court House. 
On the spot where Andre was cap- 
tured the young men of Westchester 
County, in 1853, built a cenotaph in 
honor of his captors. Arnold, burned 
in effigy in every village and hamlet 
in America, received his money and 
a commission in the British army, but 
was daily insulted by the proud and 
honorable officers upon whom his as- 
sociation was forced and who despised 
alike the treason and the traitor. His 
infamy has served to gild and gloss 
the acts of Andre, and, deepening with 
succeeding years, brings out with each 
generation a clearer and purer appre- 
ciation of the virtue and patriotism 
of Paulding, Williams and Van Wart. 
Pity for Andre led to grave injustice 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



99 



to Washington, and detraction of his 
captors, which a century has not ef- 
faced. Sir Henry Clinton and his of- 
ficers, in addresses and memoirs, de- 
nounced the execution of Andre as 
without justification. A contemporary 
British poetess characterized Wash- 
ington as a "remorseless murderer;" 
and one of the latest and ablest of 
England's historians says, this act is 
the one indelible "blot upon his char- 
acter," and that the decision of the 
military tribunal, composed of men 
ignorant of Vattel and Puffendorff, 
and fresh from "plough handles and 
shop boards," does not relieve him. 
It has become a conviction abroad and 
to some extent, a sentiment here, that 
a grave and fatal error was commit- 
ted. It was claimed that Andre was 
under the protection of a flag of truce, 
that he was within the American lines 
upon the invitation of the commander 
of the district, and under the protec- 
tion of that General's pass, that his 
intent was free from turpitude, and 
the circumstances surrounding his 
position entitled him to exchange or 
discharge. When Andre was on trial 
upon the charge of being a spy he tes- 
tified in his own behalf that "he had 
no reason to suppose he came on 
shore under a flag of truce," and such 
is the concurrent testimony of all the 
witnesses. The story was the sub- 
sequent invention of Arnold. But 
even if true, the flag is recognized in 
the usages of war for definite pur- 
poses — it ameliorates the horrors of 
the conflict; but, when used as a cover 
for treasonable purposes, loses its 
character and protective power. To 
present it as a defense and shield for 
the corrupt correspondence of the 
enemy's amissary and a traitorous of- 
ficer, is a monstrous perversion. It is 
true, he was present at Arnold's in- 
vitation, and carried his pass, but he 
knew the object of his visit, and did 
not hold the pass in his own name and 
title. Months before he had written 
to Colonel Sheldon commanding the 
Continental outposts, that under flag 
and pass he proposed visiting, on im- 
portant business General Arnold at 



West Point, and requesting safe con- 
duct, and signing and representing 
himself as John Anderson, a trader. 
The meeting, which finally took place, 
was an appointment often before 
thwarted, and its object to tamper 
with the integrity and seduce from 
his allegiance the enemy's officer. The 
signals and agencies of communica- 
tion and travel between hostile forces 
were collusively used to procure the 
betrayal of an army and the ruin of 
a nation. Andre landed at Haverstraw 
to traffic with the necessities and 
tempt the wretched pride of a bank- 
rupt and offended general, and, hav- 
ing succeeded in seducing him to sur- 
render the forts and trusts under his 
command, Benedict Arnold, so far as 
his confederate, Andre was concerned, 
ceased from that moment to be the 
American commander, and any papers 
issued by him to further and conceal 
the scheme were absolutely void. His 
pass and safe conduct were not only 
vitiated in their inception by the joint 
act of giver and receiver, secreting 
treason in them, but they were issued 
to an assumed name and borne in a 
false character. A British soldier 
found disguised in the American lines, 
with the plans of the patriots' forts, 
the details of their armaments, and 
the outlines of the plot for their be- 
trayal hidden in his boots, lost with 
the discovery of his personality and 
purposes, the protection of a fraudu- 
lent certificate. 

Greene and Knox and Lafayette 
and Steuben and the other members 
of the board of officers who tried and 
convicted Andre, may possibly have 
been ignorant of the great authorities 
upon international law; but had they 
studied, they would have found in 
them both precedent and justification. 
While the laws of war justify tamper- 
ing with the opposing commander, 
and compassing his desertion, the sud- 
den, unsuspected, unguardable and 
overwhelming character of the blow 
render it the highest of crimes, and 
subjects those detected and arrested 
in the act to summary execution. A 
general is commissioned by his gov- 



100 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



ernment to fight its battles and pro- 
tect its interests. The law of prin- 
cipal and agent is as applicable as to 
a civil transaction, and all who deal 
with him, to betray his trust, know 
that he is acting beyond the limits 
of his authority. Not the least re- 
markable of the incidents of this 
strange history was the proposition of 
Sir Henry Clinton to submit the ques- 
tion to the arbitration of the French 
General Rochambeau and the Hessian 
General Knyphausen. Such an offer 
would never have been made to a 
European commander. It was an ex- 
pression in a form most offensive to 
Washington, of that supercilious con- 
tempt for the abilities, acquirements 
and opinions of American soldiers and 
statesmen, on the part of the ruling 
classes in England, which precipitated 
the Revolution and created this Re- 
public. The sympathy and grief cf 
Washington for Andre and his misfor- 
tunes were among the deepest and 
profoundest emotions of his life. The 
most urgent public necessity, the most 
solemn public duties, demanded his 
decision. The country and the army 
were dismayed by the plot, which 
Congress declared would have been 
ruinous to the cause, which Greene 
proclaimed, in general order, would 
have been a fatal stab at our liber- 
ties, which King George the Third said 
possessed advantages that, if success- 
ful, could not be estimated, and as Sir 
Henry Clinton wrote, would have end- 
ed the conflict. Washington's remark 
to Lafayette, "Whom can we trust 
now?" echoed the sentiments of the 
hour. In that supreme moment priv- 
ate considerations and personal pity 
surrendered to the requirements of 
official responsibility, and General 
Washington, the Commander-in-Chief, 
stamped out treasonable sentiment 
within, and deterred treasonable ef- 
forts without, by signing the death 
warrant of Major John Andre. 

Andre left, as a legacy, a blow at 
his captors, which thirty-seven years 
afterwards, bore extraordinary fruit. 

In 1817, one of them petitioned Con- 
gress for an increase of pension, and 



Major Tallmadge, then a member, as- 
sailed them with great vigor and viru- 
lence. He had been a distinguished 
oiiicer in the Revolutionary war. It 
was by his energy and sagacity that 
Lt. Col. Jameson was prevented de- 
livering Andre to Arnold, and he was 
in command of the guard, and with 
Andre till his death. Like all the 
young American officers about him, 
Tallmadge formed a warm friendship 
for him, and admiration for his tal- 
ents and accomplishments. 

He asserted that his captors were 
cowboys, and that it was Andre's 
opinion, frequently expressed, that 
iuey Slopped him for plunder, and 
would have released him if he could 
have given security for his ransom. 
Tallmadge knew nothing of either of 
them prior to this event, and his judg- 
ment was wholly the reflex of Andre's 
expressions. Andre's remarks were 
either a deliberate stab at the repu- 
tation of the men towards whom the 
nation's gratitude was already rising 
with a volume which promised an im- 
mortality of fame, while he was wait- 
ing a shameful death, or, in his dread 
extremity, he could neither under- 
stand any higher motive in them to 
resist his offers, or regard with tol- 
erance or patience these humble peas- 
ants whose acts had ruined his for- 
tunes and delivered him to his fate. 
But against assertions and theories 
stand the impregnable facts of history. 
They did reject bribes beyond the 
wildest dreams of any wealth they 
ever hoped to accumulate. They did 
deliver him to the nearest American 
post, and neither asked nor expected 
any reward. Van Wart had served 
four years in the Westchester Militia, 
and his term of enlistment had but 
recently expired. Paulding had been 
twice a British prisoner of war in 
New York, and was a third time 
wounded in their hands at the declara- 
tion of peace, and the Yager uniform 
in which he had escaped but four 
days before the capture, misled Andre 
into the impulsive revelation of his 
rank. Security for the ransom they 
had. As they were intelligent enough 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



101 



to understand the importance of their 
prisoner they knew that while two 
held him as hostage, the third could 
arrange for the delivery of any sum 
he promised upon his release. 

Washington, the Continental Con- 
gress, and the Legislature of our own 
state, are the contemporary witnesses, 
and their testimonies by words and 
deeds are part of the record which 
make this day memorable. When the 
news of Major Tallmadge's charges 
was received here, sixteen of the most 
respected and reputable men of our 
county names as familiar among us 
as household words certified to Con- 
gress "that during the Revolutionary 
war they were well acquainted with 
Isaac Van Wart, David Williams, and 
John Paulding, and that at no time 
during the Revolutionary war was 
any suspicion entertained by their 
neighbors, or acquaintances, that they, 
or either of them, held any undue in- 
tercourse with the enemy. On the 
contrary they were universally es- 
teemed, and taken to be ardent and 
faithful in the cause of the country." 
Van Wart and Paulding in solemn af- 
fidavits, re-asserted the details of the 
capture, and the motives of their con- 
duct. As each of them, in ripe old 
age and in the fullness of years, was 
called to render his account to the 
Great Judge, mourning thousands 
gathered about the graves to testify 
their reverence; and the respect and 
gratitude of their countrymen reared 
monuments to their memories." 

"The population, prosperity, wealth 
and luxury which surround us here, 
have grown upon the devasted fields 
of a century ago. 

We rededicate this cenotaph in 
honor of those whose virtues made 
possible this result. The peace, civ- 
ilization, liberty, and happiness we en- 
joy at home, the power which com- 
mands for us respect abroad, lie in 
the strength and perpetuity of our 
Republican institutions. 

Had they been lost by battle or 
treason in the Revolutionary struggle, 
or sunk in the bloody chasm of civil 



war, the grand nationality of to-day 
would have been dependent provinces, 
or warring and burdened states. 

Arnold and Andre, Paulding, Wil- 
liams and Van Wart, are characters 
in a drama which crystallizes an 
eternal principle that these institu- 
tions rest upon the integrity and pa- 
triotism of the common people. We 
are not here to celebrate marches, 
sieges, and battles. The trumpet, the 
charge, the waving plume, the flying 
enemy, the hero's death, are not our 
inspiration. The light which made 
clear to these men the priceless value 
of country and liberty was but the 
glimmering dawn, compared with the 
noonday glory of the full orbed radi- 
ance in which we stand. 

As a hundred years has ripened the 
fame and enriched the merit of their 
deed, so will it be rehearsed with in- 
creasing gratitude by each succeed- 
ing century. 

This modest shaft marks the memo- 
rable spot where they withstood 
temptation and saved the state, but 
their monument is the Republic — its 
inscription upon the hearts of its 
teeming and happy millions. 

The following general officers com- 
posed the court martial which was 
convened by Washington to meet at 
Tappan, September the 29th, 1780: 

Major-General Greene, President. 

Major-General Lord Stirling. 

Major-General St. Clair. 

Major-General the Marquis de La 
Fayette. 

Major-General Howe. 

Major-General the Baron De Steu- 
ben. 

Brigadier-General Parsons. 

Brigadier-General Clinton. 

Brigadier-Gensral Knox. 

Brigadier-General Glover. 

Brigadier-General Patterson. 

Brigadier-General Hand. 

Brigadier-General Huntington. 

Brigadier-General Starke. 

John Laurence, Judge Advocate 
General. 

Where a letter of the same date 



102 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



was laid before it and read: 
Gentlemen : 

Major Andre, Adjutant-General of 
the British army, will be brought be- 
fore you for your examination. He 
came within our lines in the night, on 
an interview with Major-General Ar- 
nold, and in assumed character, and 
was taken within our lines, in a dis- 
guised habit with a pass under feigned 
name and with the inclosed papers 
concealed upon him. After a careful 
examination you will be pleased, as 
speedily as possible to report a precise 
state of his case, together with your 
opinion of the light in which he ought 
to be considered, and the punishment 
that ought to be inflicted. 

The Judge Advocate will attend to 
assist in the examination, who has 
sundry other papers, relative to this 
matter, which he will lay before the 
Board. 

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, 
Your most obedient and humble 
servant, 

G. Washington. 

The Board of General Ofl^cers, Con- 
vened at Tappan, report as follows: 
The uncontradicted evidence shows 
"That he (Andre) came on shore from 
the Vulture sloop-of-war, in the night 
of the 21st of September instant, 
somewhere under the Haverstraw 
Mountain. That the boat he came on 
shore in carried no flag, and that he 
had on a surtout coat over his regi- 
mentals, and that he wore his surtout 
coat when he was taken. That he met 
General Arnold on the shore, and 
had an interview with him there. 
He also said that when he left 
the Vulture sloop-of-war, it was 
understood that he was to return 
that night; but it was then doubted, 
and if he could not return he 
was promised to be concealed on 
shore in a place of safety, until the 
next night, when he was to return in 
the same manner he came on shore; 
and when the next day came he was 
solicitious to get back, and made in- 
quiries in the course of the day how 
he should return, when he was in- 



formed he could not return that way, 
and he must take the route he did af- 
terwards. He also said, that the first 
notice he had of his- being within 
any of our posts, was being chal- 
lenged by the sentry, which was the 
first night he was on shore. He also 
said, that the evening of the twenty- 
second of September instant, he 
passed King's Ferry, between our 
posts of Stony and Verplanck's Points, 
in the dress he is at present in, and 
which, he said, was not his regiment- 
als, and which dress he procured after 
he had landed from the Vulture, and 
when he was within our post, and that 
he was proceeding to New York, but 
was taken on his way, at Tarrytown, 
as he mentioned in his letter, on Sat- 
urday, the twenty-third of September, 
instant, about nine o'clock in the 
morning. 

The following papers were laid be- 
fore the Board, and shown to Major 
Andre, who confessed to the Board 
that they were found on him when 
he was taken, and said they were con- 
cealed in his boot, except the pass: 

A pass from General Arnold to 
John Anderson, which name Major 
Andre acknowledged he assumed: 

Artillery orders, September 5, 1780, 

Estimate of the force at West Point 
and its dependencies, September 5, 
1780. 

Estimate of men to man the works 
at West Point, etc. 

Return of ordinance at West Point, 
September, 1780. 

Remarks on works at West Point, 

Copy of a State of Matters laid be- 
fore a Council of War, by his Excel- 
lency General Washington, held the 
6th of September, 1780, 

A letter signed John Anderson, 
dated September 7, 1780, to Colonel 
Sheldon, was also laid before the 
Board, and shown to Major Andre, 
which he acknowledged to have been 
written by him. 

The Board having considered the 
letter from his Excellency General 
Washington, respecting Major Andre, 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



103 



Adjjutant General of the British army, 
the Confession of Major Andre, and 
the papers produced to them, Report 
to his Excellency the following facts, 
which appear to them relative to 
Major Andre: 

First, That he came on shore from 
the Vulture sloop-of-war, in the night 
of the twenty-first of September, in- 
stant, on an interview with General 
Arnold, in a private and secret man- 
ner. 

Secondly, That he changed his dress 
within our lines, and under a feigned 
name, and in a disguised habit, passed 
our works at Stony and Verplanck's 
Points, the evenings of the twenty- 
second of September, instant, and was 
taken the morning of the twenty-third 
of September, instant, at Tarry Town, 
in a disguised habit, being then on his 
way to New York, and when taken, he 
had in his possession several papers, 
which contained intelligence for the 
enemy. 

The Board having maturely consid- 
ered these facts, do also report to his 
Excellency General Washington, that 
Major Andre, Adjutant-General to the 
British army, ought to be considered 
as a Spy from the enemy, and that 
agreeably to the law and usages of 
nations, it is their opinion, he ought 
to suffer death. 

Signed by Nathaniel Greene, 

M. Gen., President, 
and the entire Board." 

This report was forwarded to Con- 
gress, and on Nov. 3, 1780, the same 
was acted upon, and the following 
Preamble and Resolution, adopted, 
"Whereas, Congress have received in- 
formation that John Paulding, David 
Williams, and Isaac Van Wart, three 
young volunteer militia-men of the 
State of New York, did, on the 23d 
day of September last, intercept Major 
.John Andre, Adjutant-General of the 
British army, on his return from the 
American lines, in the character of 
a spy; and, notwithstanding the large 
bribes offered them for his release, 
nobly disdaining to sacrifice their 
country for the sake of Gold, secured 



and conveyed him to the commanding 
officer of the district, whereby the 
dangerous and traitorous conspiracy 
of Benedict Arnold was brought to 
light, the insidious designs of the 
enemy baffled, and the United States 
rescued from impending danger; Re- 
solved, That Congress have a high 
sense of the virtuous and patriotic 
conduct of the said John Paulding, 
David Williams and Isaac Van Wart. 
In testimony whereof: ORDERED, 
That each of them receive an- 
nually, out of the Public Treas- 
ury, Two Hundred Dollars in specie, 
or an equivalent in current money 
of these States during life, and 
that the Board of War procure for 
each of them a silver medal, on one 
side of which shall be a Shield with 
this inscription: "Fidelity," and on 
the other, the following motto, "Vincit 
Amor Patriae," — and forward them to 
the Commander-in-Chief, who is re- 
quested to present the same, with a 
copy of this Resolution, and the 
thanks of Congress for their Fidelity, 
and the eminent service they have 
rendered their country." 

The bronze figure of Paulding was 
the gift of Mr. John Anderson, a gen- 
erous, patriotic and public-spirited 
citizen of Tarrytown, on the occasion 
of the Centennial Celebration, Sept. 23, 
1780. 

John Paulding, the patriot was the 
eldest son of Joseph, and Sarah (Gar- 
denier) Paulding, was born at the 
Paulding homestead near Tarrytown, 
October 16, 1758. His young manhood 
was mostly spent in the town of 
Mount Pleasant, this county. His first 
wife was Sarah Tidd, of Salem, this 
county. She was born April 5th, 1767, 
died October 23d, 1789. Four chil- 
dren were the fruit of this union, viz., 
Sarah, Nancy, Elizabeth and George 
Washington, all of whom, except 
Nancy, died young. 

He took for his second partner 
Esther, daughter of Caleb Ward, of 
this town. She was born April 1, 
1768, died March 6, 1804. She was the 
mother of eight children, James, 
Sarah, Hiram,' George, John, Susanna, 



104 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Mary and Caleb. The last named is 
the father of John C. Paulding, and 
was a life-long resident of this vil- 
lage. Hiram entered the U. S. Navy 
at an early age, was a midshipman 
under McDonough at the Battle of 
Lake Champlain in 1814, and greatly 
distinguished himself. He attained 
rank and honor in his chosen profes- 
sion, winning the high position of rear 
admiral. He was born in New York 
city Dec. 11, 1797, and died at Hunt- 
ington, L. I., October 20, 1878. The 
old patriot's third wife was Hester, 
daughter of Captain Isaac Denike, of 
Peekskill. Hester survived her war- 
rior husband and took for a second 
husband Elisha Serrine, of Shrub 
Oak. This estimable woman passed 
away October 27, 1855. 

Pierre Van Cortlandt Paulding was 
the youngest son of this patriot sire. 
He was a carpenter and builder in 
Peekskill, for fully half a century. 
He celebrated his seventy-fifth birth- 
day by walking from the city hall in 
New York city to his home in Peeks- 
kill, between sunrise and sunset of 
that day. Pierre V. C. Paulding, Jr., 
an honorably discharged veteran of 
Civil War, now a resident of Yonkers, 
is a worthy son of worthy sires. 

The first village election to raise 
money for fire purposes was held on 
May 14, 1827, at the house of Jared 
Stone. The sum to be raised was cer- 
tified to as $750.00 by Wm. B. Birdsall, 
clerk of the village, on June 23, 1827. 
This sum was applied to the purchase 
of a fire engine and hose. The engine 
was a very crude affair. The pumps 
were actuated by two cranks. The 
water was pumped from a tank or 
box, which had to be filled with water 
from pails, and then pumped on the 
fire. When this engine had been in 
use for ten years a new one, as will be 
seen later on, replaced this rude ap- 
paratus. 

An election for village officers was 
held August 18, 1827, at which Dr. 
Samuel Strang was elected president, 
Ezra Marshall, secretary, Stephen 
Turner and Joseph S. Ferris, collect- 



Wm. B. Birdsall was the first fore- 
man of the new fire company, which 
was designated Columbian Engine 
Co. No. 1. 

In 1828 Peter Strang was paid fifty 
dollars for hose — (Peter was a broth- 
er of the late Hon. Joseph Strang). 

Jany. 25, 1828. "The By-Laws of 
Columbian Engine Co. No. 1 were pub- 
lished in pamphlet form. They are 
quite voluminous, and affixed to them 
are rules and ordinances for the Pre- 
vention of Fires and Regulating the 
duties of the Fire Wardens, &c., &c. 

Article XIII reads as follows: "Any 
person being elected as a member of 
this company, by a majority of votes, 
shall pay within one week into the 
secretary 75 cents as an initiation 
fee, To be refunded if the party was 
rejected by the trustees of the cor- 
poration. 

Jany. 25, 1828. The owners or oc- 
cupants of any house, to keep on hand 
a number of good pails equal to the 
number of stoves and fire places in 
said house. Every person shall forfeit 
12 cents a month for every pail not 
furnished. 
Signed, 

Samuel Strang, 
John Halsted, 
Philip Clapp, 
Ezra Marshall, 
James Birdsall, 

Trustees. 
The First Fire Warden was to act 
as Chief Engineer, to appear in 
"Leather Cap, with the word Fire 
Warden painted on it. The other 
wardens, with a fire cap and a war- 
den's staff. 
Signed, 

Samuel Strang, Pres. 
Reuben R. Finch, Secy. 
Sept. 20, 1829. Fire wardens were 
empowered to order "four ladders and 
two hooks, to be fitted to a convenient 
carriage to carry the same, "Price" 
not to exceed twenty-five dollars, to 
be paid for when in funds. 

Dec. 22, 1829. Justus Vought was 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



105 



appointed Fire Warden in place of 
James Birdsall, deceased. 

The trustees gave Columbian Engine 
Co. full power to have their Engine 
painted at a cost not to exceed $23.50. 

Wash days were appointed to be 
held on the third Wednesday of each 
month, from November to April, at 
5 p. m. 

In 1834, a Public meeting was called 
to levy a tax of one hundred dollars. 

In 1835, a Committee was appointed 
to organize Fire Company No. 2. 

1837. • A Public meeting was held 
for the purpose of raising the sum 
of four hundred dollars, for new en- 
gine. 

1838. A Committee was appointed 
to arrange for the Construction of two 
reservoirs to store w-ater for fire pur- 
poses. 

One was built near the corner of 
Depew on South street. This was to 
be filled from the brook flowing near. 
(This receptacle was never used in 
my day.) 

The other was located corner of 
Main and North Division streets, 
supplied through a six-inch iron pipe, 
from the pond back of the Southard 
Foundry. Samuel Field, mason, built 
these two structures for the moderate 
sum of one hundred and forty dollars. 
The last noted reservoir was much 
used and it was the scene of many an 
exciting contest on "Wash Nights." 

A contract was made for an engine 
that w^ould throw a stream of water 
sixty feet through a 5-8 nozzle with 
twelve men on the arms. This new 
engine was warranted for two years. 
The trustees gave a note payable in 
two years with interest at six per cent. 
This was undoubtedly a "Goose 
Neck." 

In 1839 the trustees bought a lot of 
James Brown on Center street, (now 
Park), upon which to build a "Hook 
and Ladder House." 

During 1840 the firemen met in the 
office of Minor & Horton. They paid 
no rent, but agreed to pay for lights. 
This is the room now used by the Sey- 
mour Coal Co. for office purposes. 

The first chief engineer was ap- 



pointed August 15, of this year, in the 
person of James Brown. Elihu E. 
Baker was first assistant and Ezra 
Marshall, second. 

By this time arrangements were be- 
ing made for housing new engine 
No. 2. 

A lot and building on Cross street, 
now Nelson avenue, was secured from 
Jeremiah Mabie, at a rental of forty 
dollars. The site was on the east 
side of the street, nearly opposite the 
present location. 

This year the clerk was authorized 
to advertise in the Westchester and 
Putnam Gazette, of a special election 
to raise the sum of $500 for fire de- 
partment purposes. Wm. H. Briggs 
was appointed village clerk at a salary 
of twenty dollars. Assessors were 
paid $5.00 each, and the salary of the 
treasurer was made $10.00. 

This year $1,000.00 was raised for 
highway purposes. There was also 
held a special election to choose two 
trustees. At this there were only 18 
votes cast. The opposing candidates 
each getting 9 votes, making another 
election necessary to settle the mat- 
ter. 

This was certainly an eventful year. 
The late Jacob Gaudineer was ap- 
pointed Pound Master. His fees were 
for hogs, 25 cents each, horse, 75, 
cows 37 1-2 cents for each, 24 hours 
detention." 

In 1841 Riley Mead succeeded Gaud- 
ineer, and pigs were added to the 
schedule of fees at 12 1-2 cents. 

May 24 of this year the trustees 
voted to allow No. 2 Company a mem- 
bership of thirty. 

Nothing noteworthy transpired un- 
til 1837, when the Board contracted 
with Joshua Tompkins (father of 
Painter John Tompkins, to build a 
new truck for $85.00. (No doubt this 
was looked upon as a piece of ex- 
travagance.) 

That year the Board allowed $20 to 
each engine company and $10 to each 
hose company. 

Ezra Marshall was appointed "Over- 
seer of Highways" at a salary of one 
dollar per day, for not to exceed 30 



106 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



days in any one year. 

But behold the Board growing reck- 
less, for in 1848 we find them order- 
ing 205 feet of hose at a cost of 
$129.47, and bought an engine house 
at a cost of $810.50. Permission was 
given to the Southern Magnetic 
Telegraph Co. to set poles and string 
its wires, provided the poles were 
peeled and painted. 

Oct. 21, a large fire occurred at the 
Barracks on Main street. 

The Board allowed each engine 
company during the year one ton of 
coal, and each hose company, one- 
half ton. 

Among the expenditures this year 
Samuel S. Wood was paid $1.50 for 
refreshments at fire. 

1849. Col. Williams, of the Eagle 
Hotel, was paid $6.00 for refreshments 
at fire on South street, on site of the 
present Lincoln building. Edward 
Secor, for ditto, at fire at Ezra Mar- 
shall's store, $5.00; Wm. H. Russell, 
do, James Brown fire. (Barracks), 
$2.44. 

Ambrose Tompkins offered to re- 
move manure from the village streets 
at no cost to the village. 

Taylor Flagler received for. use of 
water $5.00 April 29. Manure on the 
streets was sold by auction to James 
Hawes for $6.00. 

1849 was a Cholera year, and on 
June 29 the first village Board of 
Health was appointed. Dr. Solomon 
Clason was appointed health officer. 

Among the other appointments was 
that of Leonard Smith to be village 
constable. 

1850. No. Two's Engine removed to 
present site, from across the street. 

1852. A large number of smallpox 
cases in town, entailing an expense 
of $602.62. 

In 1853 the village raised the sum 
of $1,500 for highway purposes. The 
same year Frost Horton became presi- 
dent, and the office of Minor & Horton 
was placed at the disposal of the vil- 
lage Board for meeting purposes, rent 



free. The village, however, to pay 
for lighting same. 

Old No. 2 Engine was changed to 
Eagle No. 3. New company organized 
under that name. House located on 
South street bank. 

The Board presented to Capt. A. H. 
Lord, Captain of the Jefferson Guards, 
a silver cup of the value of ten dol- 
lars, as a token of respect to our 
unsurpassed company of citizen sol- 
diers. 

1854. The village allowed for an ox 
team and driver to work on the 
streets, $2.50 ; for an extra man, 
$1,121/2. 

A lock-up, size 12x24, was put up 
this year by Andrew Elmer, mason, at 
a cost of one hundred and fifty dol- 
lars. 

John Sloat was elected keeper of it. 

D. F. Clapp's salary was continued at 
$10.00 for acting as treasurer. Thos. 
A. Whitney, clerk, was paid $20.00, 
and two assessors, $20.00. Eight shil- 
lings was allowed to average laborer 
on corporation work. A few were 
paid $1,121/2. 

1854. A reservoir was built on Main 
street, nearly opposite corner of 
Nelson avenue. Another on South 
street, near Division; — both by An- 
drew Elmer, at a cost of $550.00. 

1855. The President was authorized 
to allow gas pipes to be laid through 
the village streets, the company to 
furnish as good gas, and at same price, 
as in New York city, for a term of 
five years. In July the privilege was 
extended for ten years. 

Two additional reservoirs were 
built, one corner of Spring and Main, 
and the other corner South and Smith 
streets. 

In 1856 Stephen Williams was made 
Pound Master and Lamp Lighter at 
a salary of seven dollars a week. 

Repairs were made to the "Cooky 
Hole" on South street. (This was 
the name given to the quicksand 
which lies along the railroad prop- 
erty, and now so well anchored by 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 107 

thousands of yards of furnace slag around the old burying ground on 

heaped against it). Diven street. He presented a bill 

In 1857 Daniel A. Rheutan was which the Board refused to pay. 

elected Chief Engineer of the fire de- por gas and repairs, and lighting 

partment, Geo. P. Marshall first, and ^j^g same $300 00 

Ludlow Elting second assistant. „ , . ■, j.- ^ 

For salaries and contingent 

Number Two's Hose Carriage was expenses $628.00 

built this year. Also another reser- 
voir was built in the triangle, front- Divided as follows: 
ing the Franklin House. For police $150.00 

The salary of Stephen Williams was " clerk hire 75.00 

raised to fifty dollars per month in " treasurer's salary 34.00 

consideration of his agreeing to keep " assessor's salary. 23.00 

the reservoir covers free from ice and " printing 50.00 

snow. " fuel and gas 100.00 

As presumably some prisoners may miscellaneous ex- 
have taken French leave, the Board penses 200.00 

passed a resolution "That the Lock-up 

be made strong." $628.00 

They also passed a resolution that This year the Board bought one load 

the firemen were not to use nozzles of limestone chips to put on the 

as small as 3-4 inch at trials. streets, delivered on dock at 48 3-4 

An ordinance was passed giving to '^^nts a ton. A resolution was passed 

the first person ringing the bell for *» have a meeting once a month, to be 

a fire the, sum of one dollar. h^^d at Horton & Sons' office. 

In 1858 D. A. Rheutan was re-elect- ^-^^^^ ^^s bought from James Brown 

ed Chief, Nelson Burton and John on Centre street, now Park, with the 

Halsted, first and second assistant en- intention of building a fire house, ut 

gineers, respectively. In 1859 the sum ^ ^o^^ of $600. 

of ten hundred and fifty dollars was The following was passed in Section 

raised for highway purposes. No. 1 of the Charter: — No person in 

In the year 1860, Mrs. Mary Ward ^^y street or on any sidewalk, or in 

gave the village of Peekskill the per- ^^y P'ace in the village, using any 

petual right to a spring at the corner obscene language, cursing, swearing 

of James and Cortlandt streets. ^^ blasphemous language? 

In that year Peekskill raised by tax Whoever shall violate this ordinance 

the sum of twelve hundred and fifty shall for each offence pay the sum of 

dollars for highway purposes. two dollars, to be sued for and re- 

For the Fire Department one thou- covered for the village, 

sand and seventy-two dollars, includ- Section No. 2. No person shall keep 

ing two hundred feet of hose, bought any gambling or public billiard table 

that same year. for gambling, or bowling alley or any 

In 1861 the village paid Calvin instrument for gambling. Any one so 

Frost for use of office and counsel doing shall be fined not less than five, 

fees, $100.00. nor more than twenty-five dollars. 

Eagle Engine Co. No. 3 wanted to ^"'^^^ instruments shall be taken by 

have its engine painted, but the board ^^'^ P"'''^^ ^^^ destroyed. 

had no funds for the purpose. Trustees shall see that this ordin- 

Papers were given to Morrison E. ^"^^, 'J enforced. To take effect April 

Lyons and Nelson Burton to reorgan- ' ^*^^-"- 

ize Hose Co. No. One. By order of the Board of Trustees. 

Dr. Charles A. Lee placed a fence (Note. — This ordinance has not been 



108 



FROM 1G09 TO 1870. 



repealed, and it should be enforced, 
in order to save the boys from con- 
tamination. — S. D. H.) 

In August, 1862, the sum of twenty- 
five dollars was raised to paint old 
No. 3 engine, which was located on 
South street bank. 

The Board also secured a loan of 
$3,000 with interest at seven per cant. 
It was agreed to pay annually, on ac- 
count the sum of six hundred dollars. 
This money was expended in erect- 
ing the Fire Department building on 
Center street, now Park. The cost 
exceeded the appropriation by three 
hundred dollars. The interest paid 
for the accommodation footed up to 
$630.00. 

In the fall of 1862, Stephen D. Hor- 
ton was elected Chief Engineer, John 
Byxbee, first assistant, and Wm. H. 
Willcox, second assistant chiefs. 

A Reservoir was built during the 
year on the corner of Main and Broad 
streets, supplied from a small spring 
near High street. 

October 10th, Lewis Lent & Co. were 
granted a circus license for the sum 
of thirty dollars. 

Owing to business reasons, Mr. 
Uriah Hill, Jr., who had served his 
fellow citizens long and faithfully in 
various capacities, resigned as presi- 
dent of the Board, December 30th. 

In 1863 the village raised $1,300.00 
for highway purposes, and $1,140.00 
for fire department expenses — $200.00 
of this was to procure a new truck for 
Cortlandt H. & L. Co. One was pro- 
cured from Cataract H. & L. Co. of 
Poughkeepsie, which with some need- 
ed repairs, eventually cost $350.00. 

April 23, 1863, an Excise Committee 
was appointed and a license fee of 
$40.00 was established. 

Edgar D. Bassett was appointed vil- 
lage clerk at a salary of $75.00. The 
wages of laborers on the streets were 
fixed at $1.25 per day, and for an 
ox team and driver, $3.00 per day. 



Stephen Williams was appointed a 
police constable to serve from six 
o'clock Saturday evening to Sunday 
night at 12.00 o'clock, for $2.50. It 
was afterward voted to pay him for 
the same tour of service $130.00 per 
year. 

The village Board resolved itself in- 
to a Board of Health, on account of 
the appearance of a case of smallpox. 
Thos. Hicks was paid $5.00 for taking 
care of the patient. 

At a special meeting of the Board 
of Trustees of the village of Peeks- 
kill held at the store of Samuel J. 
Jacobus, in said village on the 21st 
day of July, 1863, present Jhos. A. 
Whitney, President, Isaac S. Mande- 
ville, S. J. Jacobus, and James L. 
Smith, the following Preambles and 
Resolution were adopted: 

Whereas, Evil Disposed and lawless 
persons have inau?,urated a reign of 
terror in the city of New York, where- 
by the lives and property of many citi- 
zens have been destroyed, together 
with public and charitable institu- 
tions; And, Whereas, It is not im- 
probable that Peekskill may be visited 
for arson and plunder, by lawless per- 
sons in such force as to render the 
ordinary police and military organiza- 
tions of the village powerless for their 
prompt suppression; therefore 

Resolved, that a portion of the citi- 
zens of Peekskill are invited to enroll 
themselves as a special Police or 
Guard for the protection of the lives 
and property of the inhabitants of 
said village, without fee or reward, 
and that they call at the office of the 
President of the village and enroll 
their names for this good purpose, and 
likewise use their infiuence with such 
of their friends and neighbors as in 
their judgment are friends of law and 
order, and ask their co-operation.. 

The object of this organization is 
not only for present, but for future 
protection, and it is earnestly hoped 
that all good citizens will see by the 
urgency of the alarming scenes 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



109 



through which we are passing, the 
necessity of prompt and vigorous ac- 
tion. 

In view of the facts above stated, 
we, the Trustees of the village of 
Peekskill, entreat you as citizens, 
holding in proper estimation your 
lives, your liberties and the safety of 
your families, to come forward and 
join us, that we may not only protect 
ourselves from existing danger, but 
take such action as will tend to pre- 
vent its recurrence. 

And we do recommend that you 
hold meetings every evening for the 
purpose of drilling, choosing officers 
to command you, and organizing your- 
selves so that you will be efficient in 
case you are called upon to act. 

Dated Peekskill, July 21, 1863. 

Thos. A. Whitney, President. 

Edgar D. Bassett, Clerk. 

In 1864 Dorlin P. Clapp, treasurer, 
was paid $25.00 salary. 

There was raised by tax for all 
purposes, other than highways, $2,000. 
For the latter, $1,300. 

As an experiment, six inches of slag 
and cinders from the furnace were 
used on the road leading from the 
Center Dock to Center street. This 
made a good road for a short time. 

In May, Wm. N. Simpkins was made 
police constable to act at the pleasure 
of the board. 

1865, June 6. Samuel Gale was ap- 
pointed Police Constable at a salary 
of $40.00 per month. The same year 
one thousand dollars was raised for 
repairs to fire house and jail, on Sloat 
street. 

In 1867 Stephen Lent was elected 
village clerk, and his salary was fixed 
at $150.00 per year. 

The tax levy that year was $3,545.00, 
exclusive of highways, and for the lat- 
ter, $3,000.00. The charter was re- 
printed this year, 1,000 copies issued 
at a cost of $90.00. 

A Commissioner of Highways was 



appointed at the rate of $2.25 per day. 
Dr. P. Stewart was appointed health 
officer. There was a local celebration 
on the Fourth of July this year. John 
Dorsett, Hickson Tice, Rowland Lines, 
Horace Durrin and Sam Gale were ap- 
pointed special policemen for the day, 
and w^ere paid $5.00 each for their 
services. 

October 5th. Cortlandt Baxter was 
paid $150 fur furnishing six doors for 
the jail. A brick arch over the brook 
was built on Water street. Calvin 
Frost was paid $25.00 for legal serv- 
ices, and Simpkins Wessells & Co., for 
coal, $45.00. 

In 1868, for the salary of clerk and 
assessors, was raised the sum of $250; 
for printing, &c., $100.00. Office rent, 
$30.00. Counsel fees, $100.00. Fire 
Department, $905.00. Gas and lamp 
posts, $1,200. For police, $1,200. 

John Acker and Samuel Gale were 
appointed policemen. Abram G. Conk- 
lin was given authority to arrest when 
acting as night watchman. ' 

An ordinance was passed ordering 
all swine to be removed from the vil- 
lage by April 1, 1869. 

The first white men to behold the 
beautiful shores of the town of Cort- 
landt, were undoubtedly Henry Hud- 
son and his crew, who in his good ship 
the "Halve Maene" (Half Moon) 
sailed up the noble river which bears 
his name, and which event was so 
fittingly celebrated three hundred 
years later, in the Hulson-Fulton 
Celebration by the citizens of the Em- 
pire State and in which the town of 
Cortlandt took so prominent a part. 

Quoting from the journal of Robert 
Juet, the mate of the Half Moon, the 
record reads: Sept. 14 (1609), "In the 
morning being very faire weather we 
sayled up the river twelve leagues, 
and had five fathomes and a quarter 
less and came to a streight between 
two points, and had eight, nine, and 
ten fathomes; and it trended north- 
east by north one league and we had 
twelve, thirteen and fourteene fa- 
thomes. The river is a mile broad; 



110 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



there is very high land on both sides. 
Then we went northwest a league and 
a half deepe water." 

The two points are evidently Stony 
and Verplancks Points. They sailed 
past Peekskill that same day, con- 
tinuing up the river nearly or quite to 
Hudson. Stopping at several places 
on the way. The natives treated them 
very cordially. On the 23d the down 
trip was begun. September 30th the 
adventurers anchored off Newburgh. 
Again quoting from the log: "The 
first of October, faire weather, the 
wind variable between the west and 
the north. In the morning we weighed 
at seven of the clock with the ebbe, 
and got down below the mountaynes, 
which was seven leagues. Then it 
fell calme and the flood was come, and 
we anchored at twelve of the clocke. 
The people of the mountayne came 
aboard of us, wondering at our ships 
and weapons. 

We bought some small skinnes of 
them for trifles. This afternoone one 
canoe kept hanging under our sterne 
with one man in it, which we could 
not keep from thence, who got up by 
our rudder to our cabin window and - 
stole out my pillow, and two shirts, 
and two bandeleeres. Our master 
mate shot at him, and strooke him on 
the brest, and killed him. Thereupon 
all the rest fled away, some in their 
canoes, and it so leapt out of them 
into the water. We manned our boat 
and got our things againe. Then one 
of them swamme, got hold of our boat, 
thinking to overthrow it. But our 
cooke tooke a sword, and cut off one 
of his hands, and he was drowned. By 
this time the ebbe was come, and we 
weighed and got downe two leagues; 
by that time it was darke. So we an- 
chored in four fathomes water and 
rode well." 

Thus in the quaint language of that 
day is recorded by the faithful Juet. 

The place where the Half Moon was 
anchored, and the sad affair with the 
Indians occurred is conceded to have 
been near Verplancks. — S. D. H. 



The Dutch chroniclers of that period 
aver, "that the Indians supposed the 
Half Moon was some sea monster that 
came from parts unknown. — (Early 
Colonial Records.) 

The Van Cortlandt family is closely 
identified with the Manor of Cortlandt, 
and consequently with the town of 
the same name. The Hon. Pierre Van 
Cortlandt held an honored place in 
the affections of the people of this 
state. He became Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor in 1777, and held that position 
for many years. His eldest son, Philip 
Van Cortlandt, by his first wife, 
Joanna Livingston, was born in New 
York city, August 21, 1849. 

Like his father, he was an ardent 
patriot, and was among the first to 
espouse the cause of his native state 
against the tyranny of the royal gov- 
ernor. 

In June, 1745, he received a lieu- 
tenant colonel's commission, signed by 
John Hancock, President of Congress. 
On Nov. 28, 1776, he was commissioned 
Colonel of the Second N. Y. Regiment 
by Gen'l Washington. 

He was present with his command 
at the battles of Stillwater and Sara- 
toga. Colonel Van Cortlandt served 
with distinction at the siege of York- 
town, under the Marquis de La Fay- 
ette,, and for his gallantry, in this 
campaign, he was made a brigadier 
general. 

After returning to civil life he was 
soon called to political activities. He 
represented this town as supervisor 
in 1772, 1774, 1778, 1789, 1816, and for 
the last time in 1818. 

He was a Member of Assembly from 
this district in 1789-90, and State Sen- 
ator from 1791 to 1794. 

He was also representative in Con- 
gress from 1793 to 1809, a consecutive 
service of sixteen years. A record 
equalled by few. He positively re- 
fused a re-election for another term. 

This sturdy patriot and gentleman 
passed away at the Manor House on 
the Croton River, Nov. 21, 1831, in his 
eighty-third year. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Ill 



The names of some of the men who served under General "Van Cortlandt 
during the Revolutionary War are hereto appended: 









Place Enlisted, 






Name. 


Age. 


Occupation. 


of Birth. Where. 


When 




John Garrison 


16 


Baker 


N. Y. State Peekskill 


Dec. 2, 


1776 


James Ready 


19 


None 


Maryland 


Dec. 6, 


1776 


Caleb Smith 


24 


" 


L. I. 


Apr. 30, 


1777 


Third Company — 










Michael Cabbatson 


40 


Brush Maker 


Germany " 


Nov. 29, 


1778 


Fourth Company — 










Kimball Prince 


26 


Mason 


Boston " 


June 19, 


1777 


John Grogen 


43 


Weaver 


Ireland 


Jany. 1, 


1777 


Jesse Sherwood 


25 


Cooper 


" 


Dec. 1, 


1776 


John Braden 


30 


Ditcher 


Ireland 


Jany. 1, 


1777 


Abraham Devine 


21 


Farmer 


Ireland " 


Jany.' 1, 


1777 


Heady Leary 


34 


Farmer 


Ireland 


Jany. 1, 


1777 


Matthew Bell 


30 


Farmer 


Ireland 


Jany. 1, 


1777 


Cornells Woodamore30 


Fiddler 


Horseneck 


Jany 1, 


1777 


John Stephens 


21 


Farmer 


Nine Partners " 


Feby 26, 


1777 


Fifth Company 


— 










Cor Wm. Campbell 26 Brewer of beer 


■ Ireland 


Jany 2, 


1777 


Serg Jno Shucroft 


22 


Weaver 


Shawangunk ^^^'^ 
Ferry 


Jany 1, 


1777 


Sixth Company 


'— 










Thos Dolton 


23 


Cooper 


New York Peekskill 


Apr 1, 


1777 


Thos Stillwell 


19 


Cooper 


New York 


Feby 2, 


1777 


James McKinney 


37 


Wool comer 


Edinburgh 


Feby 14, 


1777 


Benj Griffin 


25 


Yeoman 


L. I. 


Jany 1, 


1777 


Seventh Company — 










Chas McKinney 


45 


Farmer 


N. J. 


Dec 3, 


1776 


Sim'n Lambertson 


24 


Shoemaker 


N. Y. 


Dec 8, 


1776 


James Croft 


23 


Farmer 


Goshen " 


Apr 10, 


1778 


James Rose 


23 


Currier 


New York " 


Dec 17, 


1776 


John Mornell 


25 


Farmer 


L. I. 


Dec 7, 


1776 


Sam'l Griffith 


22 


Malster 


England 


Dec 7, 


1776 


James Kealy 51 




Currier 


England 


Apr 14, 


1777 


James Curry 


20 


Farmer 


Phillip's Patent " 


Apr 14, 


1775 


Gerard Coblas 


18 


Cutler 


Germany 


Apr 14, 


1778 


Wm. Gilbert 


39 


Hatter 


New York 


Dec 7, 


1777 


John Venice 


20 


Laborer 


L. I. 


Dec 7, 


1777 


John Astin 


19 


Farmer 


Fred'burgh " 


Dec 7, 


1777 


Melcher Havelish 


36 


Hostler 


Germany " 


Apr 15, 


1778 


Peter Slutt 


19 


Smith 


New Jersey " 


Dec 7, 


1778 


Adam Kinalan 


22 


Miller 


Germany " 


Mar 23, 


1778 


Mchael Sellers 


23 


Barber 


New Jersey " 


Dec 7, 


1776 


Rich'd Smith 


18 


Shoemaker 


L. I. 


Dec 16, 


1777 


Oliver Arnold 


28 


Farmer 


Fred'bergh " 


May 21, 


1778 


Chas. Moore 


28 


Sailor 


England " 


Dec 6, 


1776 


Peter Donaldson 


21 


Currier 


New Rochelle " 


Dec 16, 


1776 


Moses Mulliner 


20 


Weaver 


L. I. 


Dec 7, 


1776 



112 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Name. 


Age. 


Occupation. 


Place Enlisted, 
of Birth. Where. 


When. 


Jer'h McGovern 
John Foster 
John Bennett 


24 
22 
20 


Barber 

Baker 

Cooper 


N. Y. 
L. I. 
Topham " 


Jan 1, 
Dec 2, 
Dec 5, 


1777 
1776 
1776 


Eighth Company — 
Serg Thos Duncan 23 
Irael Wallier 35 
Zechariah Vande- 
mark 24 


Soldier 
Farmer 

Weaver 


Southampton " 
Connecticut " 

Walkill 


Dec 18, 

May 30, 

Jan 1, 


1777 
1777 

1777 


Peleg Adams 


22 


Comber 


R. I. 


June 12, 


1777 



Hugh Carr, of Peekskill, enlisted at Albany, April 20, 1779, in Colonel 
John Lamb's regiment of regular Artillery. 

John Russell, of Cortlandt Manor, Aug. 22, 1779, in Capt. Gershom 
Mott's Company of Artillery; Thomas Griffiths in Capt. Andrew Moodie's 
Company, Aug. 30, 1779. 

Also the following in Capt. Abner French's Company, of Light In- 
fantry, Second N. Y. Regiment: 

Lewis Nowe 
Jonathan Trimmer 
John Tomson 
Moses Cavender 
Peter Boice 
Merten Mitchell 
Robert Burns 
Jacobus Ivory 
Charles Powers 



20 


Turner 


N. J. Peekskill 


April 3, 


1779 


32 


Shoemaker 


Boston 


Jany 4, 


1777 


25 


Carpenter 


Dutchess 


Nov 26, 


1776 


33 


Sailor 


Ireland 


Mch 11, 


1776 


20 


Yeoman 


Dutchess " 


Mch 29, 


1779 


22 


Shoemaker 


Dutchess 


April 7, 


1779 


24 


Cutter 


N. York 


April 5, 


1779 


21 


Weaver 


Ulster 


April 5, 


1779 


24 


Barber 


N. York 


April 5, 


1779 



Crompond, Jany 25, 1781. 

Sir Altho this Letter may call your 
Excellency's attention from more im- 
portant Business, yet I flatter myself 
its well meant Design will be a suf- 
ficient apology. 

Having Major Gen'l Heath's orders 
to make an attempt on Morrissania, 
and burn the Enemie's Hutts, on the 
morning of the 22d inst the plan was 
executed and between fifty and sixty 
Prisoners fell into our hands. I am 
confident your Excellency would wish 
to be made acquainted with the merits 
of every valuable Character in the 
State it is with peculiar Pleasure that 
I mention the conduct of Justice 
Honeywell (who voluntarily taking a 
military title and being desired to 
command the Refugees), as deserving 
of much credit and applause. His 
exertions indeed since I have been 
honored with the Command on the 
Lines, have been peculiarly service- 
able and every Principle of Duty im- 



pells me to recommend him to your 
Excellency's Notice. 

I have the honor, &c., 

Wm. Hall, 
Lt Colo 
His Ex'cy Gov'r Clinton 

Feby 16. Orders were issued for 
augmenting the light Companies of 
all the regiments at West Point and 
its dependencies, to 50 rank and file 
each; they were to rendezvous the 
18th or 19th, at Peekskill. 



Congress appoints a day for Fasting 
and Prayer. 

Philadelphia, March 21, 1781 
"The United States in Congress as- 
sembled therefore do earnestly recom- 
mend, that Thursday the third day 
of May next, may be observed as a 
day of humiliation, fasting and pray- 
er; that we may with united hearts 
confess and bewail our manifold sins 
and transgressions, and by sincere re- 
pentance and amendment of life, ap- 



FROM 1G09 TO 1S70. 



lie 



pease His righteous displeasure and 
tliro' tlie merits of our blessed Saviour 
obtain pardon and forgiveness, &c." 

Peekskill, April 17, 1781 

Capt Elihu Marshall, who has serv- 
ed in the Regular Army, but recently 
retired, solicits appointment from 
Gov'r Clinton, in one of the new levies. 
He desires the Gov'r to "address me 
at Capt Dusenberry's, Peekskill Hol- 
low, &c." 

May 13. Early this morning short- 
ly after sunrise, a party of 150 British 
dragoons led by Col DeLancey, sur- 
prised a body of Americans under Col 
Greene, of the Rhode Island regiment, 
who (Gen'l Heath in his Memoirs, p. 
267) "was doing duty on the lines of 
the American army, and that the Col. 
Maj (Ebenezer) Flagg, and two sub- 
alterns and 27 men were killed and 
several wounded. "Col Greene was a 
brave and intrepid officer, and his loss 
was much regretted. "The Colonel 
had taken post above and near to 
Croton River, at a place where the riv- 
er was fordable, to prevent the enemy 
passing up by this ford to ravage the 
country. He had practiced the great- 
est vigilance in guarding this ford in 
the night time, taking off the guards 
after sunrise, apprehending that the 
enemy would never presume to cross 
the river in the day time; but they 
having learned his mode of doing duty, 
on this morning effected his overthrow 
by crossing the ford soon after the 
guards had come off, and surrounding 
their quarters before they had an idea 
of any enemy being near them. In 
this situation the utmost exertion 
could not avail them." 

July 6th. Information was received 
that Gen. Washington had ordered the 
American troops from their several 
Contonments, and that the whole had 
assembled and were encamped near 
Peekskill. 

August 17. "Gen. Washington was 
pleased to inform our General, (in 
Confidence) his intentions, at the same 
time intimating to him that he should 
give him the command of the main 
army during his absence. The whole 



of the French army, with two regi- 
ments of New Jersey, first regiment of 
New York, Col Hazen's regiment. Col. 
Olney's regiment of Rhode Island, Col 
Lamb's regiment of artillery, and the 
light troops under the Command of 
Col. Scammell, were detached for the 
expedition against Lord Cornwallis, 
and the army under his Command, at 
Yorktown, in Virginia. 

ISlh. Some of the corps began to 
move toward the ferries. The next 
day the Commander in Chief was 
pleased to honor our General with the 
following: 

To Major General Heath. 

Sir: 

You are to take command of all the 
troops remaining in this department, 
consisting of the two regiments of 
New Hampshire, ten of Massachusetts, 
and five of Connecticut infantry, the 
Corps of invalids, Sheldon's legion, 
the 3d regiment of artillery, together 
with all such state troops and militia 
as are retained in service of those 
which would have been under my own 
command." "The security of West 
Point, and the posts in the Highlands, 
is to be considered as the first objects 
of your attention, &c, &c," (detailing 
at great length the measures to be 
taken, and a general plan of opera- 
tions, closing in these words: 

"You will be pleased to keep me reg- 
ularly advised of every important 
event which shall take place in your 
department." 

Given under my hand at headquar- 
ters, near Dobbs Ferry, this 19th day 
of August, 1781. 

"About noon his Excellency Gen. 
Washington left the army, setting his 
face toward his native State, in full 
Confidence, to use his own words, 
"with a common blessing," of captur- 
ing Lord Cornwallis and his army: 
while our General was left to watch 
Sir Henry Clinton, and guard against 
those attempts which it was probable 
he would make to succour Cornwal- 
lis direct, or by making such other 
movements as might tend to induce 



114 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Gen. Washington to give up his ob- 
ject, or avail himself of some impor- 
tant posts in his absence, Sir Henry- 
Clinton was consequently on the rack, 
to devise something which should ef- 
fect his purpose; a stroke at the posts 
in the Highlands, Connecticut, New 
Jersey, Albany and Philadelphia was 
contemplated. Against all this had 
our General to guard — let impartiality 
judge and candour decide on his con- 
duct. 

On the morning of the same day 
the French army marched from their 
encampment towards Kings Ferry, 
where they were to cross the river. 
The Am.erican park of artillery, Col. 
Olney's regiment, and the New York 
regiment decamped and moved the 
same way. 

Nov. 24. "Our General removed his 
headquarters from the Continental 
village to Robinson's Farm, for winter 
quarters. The army in want of flour 
and forage. 

Dec. 2d. The militia which had 
been called out for three months, were 
returning home. They had served with 
much reputation, and done good serv- 
ice for their country. 

4th. The army were now busily 
engaged in building their huts, which 
they prosecuted with great vigor, and 
soon rendered them comfortable as to 
shelter; but many of the troops were 
in a most naked and distressed condi- 
tion as to clothing, but relief was 
daily arriving from the eastward. 

Feby 10, 1782. "The river had been 
passable on the ice for several days 
at King's Ferry." 

27th. Col. Sumner arrived from 
Massachusetts ; he brought about 2,000 
suits of clothes for the army. 

March 4th. In a skirmish with a 
party of the enemy in the lower part 
of this county, Michael Dyckman, a 
guide was mortally wounded. (He 
was a member of that well known 
family in this county.) 

The Hon Hugh Hastings, late State 
Historian, in his admirable preface to 
Vol. VII of Gov'r Geo Clinton's Public 
papers, in summing up the situation 



of affairs at this period, writes as fol- 
lows: "In fact until the first weeks 
of November, 1781, when the fact of 
Cornwallis' surrender was well estab- 
lished as far as Canada, New York 
was in an incessantly agitated state 
from Peekskill to Saratoga because 
of reports of a destructive nature from 
an ordinary raid to a full-fledged in- 
vasion from Canada. 

He concludes in these words: 
"With the evacuation of New York 
November 25, 1783, the American peo- 
ple settled down to construct the mag- 
nificent fabric of government which 
had become theirs through independ- 
ence." 



Tribute to George Clinton. 

"Her men of action have been sig- 
nally neglected. Feeble records only 
are to be found of her most eminent 
statesmen. Where shall we look, 
throughout our country's annals, for 
a more heroic spirit, one of more per- 
sonal courage, of greater devotion to 
his country, one greater in greatest 
trial, one of more decision of char- 
acter, one of sterner integrity than 
Governor George Clinton, to whom 
this State and the Union are under 
such mighty obligations, and yet we 
fruitlessly search for a worthy mem- 
orial of him " 

From a memorial address by Dr. 
John W. Francis, before the N. Y. 
Historical Society, November 17, 1857. 

At an election held in the town of 
Cortlandt on Tuesday, April 4th, 1843, 
at the house of Abraham Hilliker on 
the Post Road, (now owned by Geo. 
E. Craft, the following officers were 
elected. The result is thus tabulated 
in the Whig organ (Republican), the 
following week. 

Wm. Royce, supervisor, 39 maj. 

Thos. Southard, town clerk, 5 

Elijah Gardner, collector, 39 " 

Philip Clapp, justice, 4 years, 5 " 

Assessors: R. R. Finch, John P. 
McChain, Jasper Sherwood. 

Com. of Highways: Elijah Dunham, 
Mead Barmore, John Chase. 

Com. of Schools: Jacob Oakley, 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



lln 



Daniel D. Smith, Wm. B. Ferris. 

Inspectors of Scliools: Thos. A. 
Whitney, Elijah Yerks. 

Overseers of Poor: John Mosher, 
Wm. B. Ferris. 

Constables: John S. Lent, Elijah 
Gardner, James Richmond, John 
Rider. 

Town Solicitor: Stephen Gregory. 

Inspectors of Election — Dist. No. 1: 
Thos. A. Whitney, Samuel Ingersoll, 
Isaac Hadden. 

Dist. No. 2: John P. Cruger, Sam- 
uel W. Hurd, Aaron Travis. 

Dist. No. 3 : Robt McCord, Anthony 
Post, John Jordan. 

The Peekskill Republican of Feby 
4, 1845, contains the following inter- 
esting account of the building of 
Kidd's Dam so called. 

"During the past year several long 
yarns have gone the rounds of. the 
press, in relation to a vessel sunk near 
the foot of Dunderberg Mountain, op- 
posite this village, in the Hudson 
River, supposed or represented to be 
that of Capt. Kidd. Of these stories, 
the following is the substance as near 
as we can arrive at it. It is stated 
on the authority of a tradition in a 
family by the name of Gardiner, with 
whose ancestor Capt Kidd was on 
terms of familiarity, that a part of 
Capt Kidd's ill-gotten gains was de- 
posited in a place called 'Cherry Tree 
Orchard : ' and that the Governor of 
the Provinces, having by some means 
obtained a clue to the place where it 
might be found, despatched commis- 
sioners to Gardiner's Island to insti- 
tute inquiries, and, if possible, to se- 
cure the hidden treasure. Upon ar- 
riving at the island, they inquired of 
Gardiner concerning the place where 
it might be found, and he accompan- 
ied them to the spot. Having disin- 
terred the gold and silver, they 
shipped it to Boston, where Kidd was 
detained as a prisoner. The receipt 
given by the commissioners to Gar- 
diner is said to be still in possession 
of the family. But this accounts only 
for a part of Kidd's treasures. The 
remainder, with the vessel that con- 
tained it, is believed to have been sunk 



in the vicinity of New York. The rea- 
sons offered for this belief are these: 
A man named Glover, who resided 
near the Hudson, declared previous 
to his death that he was an officer 
on board the Kidd's vessel; and that 
having been pursued up the river by 
a British man-of-war, she was fired 
and sunk near the entrance of the 
Highlands. This evidence is strength- 
ened by the statement of one of Kidd's 
crew, who, on a sick bed, told a Quak- 
er who attended him, a similar story 
of the fate of the vessel; his account 
of it is corroborated by an old sailor 
who related the circumstances to a 
boy named Van Tassel. These ac- 
counts are still further corroborated 
by the statement of a very old woman 
named Farrington, who when a girl, 
heard her father say he saw a vessel 
burn and sink just where, to cap the 
climax of evidence and render the 
facts unmistakably certain, a vessel, 
said to be of very large dimensions, 
has been found. 

Who, then, with these statements 
before him, will wonder that a com- 
pany was incorporated, and stock is- 
sued for the purpose of raising money 
to hoist this vessel laden with gold 
and silver? The only wonder is that 
the stock was not immediately taken 
up after it was issued. But so it is. 
In every community there are per- 
sons of sluggish faith, and of minds 
so constituted that they prefer "a bird 
in the hand to two in the bush," even 
when the probability of being able 
to secure the two is far greater than 
that of their being able to retain the 
one. But we have no -time to specu- 
late. Suffice it to say that, with all 
these evidences of the existence of 
an enormous treasure submerged only 
about twenty feet in the mud and 
water of the Hudson, and the world's 
experience of the fact that riches take 
to themselves wings and fly away 
from their possessor, very few could 
be induced to venture a small sum 
of money in the stock of the com- 
pany, until it was heralded forth in 
several newspapers, published forty or 
fifty miles from the place of operation, 



116 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



that two cannons of very antiquated 
appearance had been discovered and 
raised from the sunken ship, when 
all occasions for doubh being remov- 
ed, stock was immediately taken up 
to the amount of some tens of thou- 
sands of dollars. 

The causes which led to the discov- 
ery of the cannons, appear to be these: 
One day in the early part of last sum- 
mer, just as the steamboat Columbus 
was about to leave New York for 
Peekskill, a gentleman came to Capt. 
Frazee, and requested him to take on 
board and land at Verplancks Point, 
about three miles below this village, 
a box, very strongly constructed, and 
containing something heavy. The 
captain for some reason, probably on 
account of the lateness of the hour at 
which he arrived at the Point, did not 
leave it (the box) as directed but 
brought it on to Peekskill and left it 
at the Point on his way down the next 
morning. Some carpenters who were 
building a Catholic Church on the 
Point, supposing the box contained 
some stone for the building, which 
they had been expecting from New 
York, commenced an attack upon the 
box soon after it was landed, and 
upon opening it, found it contained 
two cannon. (The surprised work- 
men) "ceased their labors on the iron 
bands with which the box was strong- 
ly fastened, and left it on the dock. 
The next morning the box and its con- 
tents were missing, and nothing more 
was heard of them, until a day or two 
after, when it was heralded forth in 
the New York Evening Post, that two 
Big Guns had been taken from Kidd's 
vessel. Upon receiving this intelli- 
gence, Mr. Orne, one of the builders, 
who had assisted in opening the box, 
led, either by curiosity or a "smell of 
the rat," repaired to the vessel from 
which the (alleged) discovery had 
been made, and the very same guns 
were there exhibited to him which he 
had previously seen in the iron-bound 
box on the dock. 

From that time, in consequence of 
the addition, this story brought to the 
funds of the company, preparations 



for raising the vessel has gone on vig- 
orously till now, when a coffer dam is 
nearly completed, and all that seems 
necessary to bring the buried coffers 
of Capt. Kidd to the ravished vision of 
those who seek them, is a steam en- 
gine to pump the water from the pen 
they have built around the vessel. 
And this, we believe, will soon be at 
hand, for in addition to the flood of 
evidence given above of the actual ex- 
istence of these coffers there, a story 
has been gotten up recently, and is 
now going the rounds, that in boring 
into the vessel, the augers of the 
Avorkmen have invariably hit upon 
something hard, and when taken out, 
gold sometimes, and silver at others 
has been found adhering to their 
points in such quantities that the 
fragments have been gathered up and 
sent to an assayer in New York, who 
has identified them with those metals, 
the possession of which to any con- 
siderable extent, makes a sage of a 
fcol, a gentleman of a jackass, and 
affords the wise and good a great 
many comforts and conveniences." 

The above account is presumably 
from the pen of the late Wm. Rich- 
ards, later editor of the Peekskill 
Messenger. The late Capt. James 
Hart, of this village, but then doing 
business in the city, had one or two 
dredges employed in dredging for the 
coffer dam. He v/as paid so much a 
day for their use. At low tide the re- 
mains of the coffer dam may still be 
seen along shore just above Jones' 
Point. Like the various Kidd myths 
which have come to light from time to 
time, this one was finally exploded 
but not until many hundred victims 
had been fleeced out of their savings 
through the cunning and cupidity of 
the sharpers that had concocted and 
organized the scheme. 

The earliest record of any white 
settlers in the town of Cortlandt dates 
on the 30th of July, 1667, when oc- 
curs an act of the English Governor 
and his council, concerning William 
Teller and his children, wherein the 
payment of eighty-five beavers is en- 
forced as his daughter's share be- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



117 



sides other portions to his remaining 
children; one of these was a son 
named Andries. 

Upon the 14th of July, 1800, the 
heirs of William Teller conveyed part 
of the neck (Croton Point) to Elijah 
Morgan, of Cortlandtown; November 
6th, 1804, Elijah Morgan, Jr., and 
Ann, his wife, resold the same to 
Robert Underbill; on the 16th of 
August, the same year, Robert Mc- 
Cord and wife conveyed another por- 
tion of the neck to Underbill, and re- 
mained in possession of his heirs, for 
nearly a century . 

The history of Ryck's patent has 
been heretofore given. Ryck Abram- 
sen, a descendant of the original po- 
tentees, changed his name to Lent. 
No reason is given for this substitu- 
tion. According to Bolton "The Rik- 
ers or Ryckes, Lents and Krankheyts," 
"were of common origin in Germany 
and located at a very remote period 
in Lower Saxony, where they enjoyed 
a state of allodial independence, at 
that day regarded as constituting no- 
bility." 

The same authority states "that the 
earliest settlement in this neighbor- 
hood commenced one mile northeast 
of Peekskill, on the property of Capt. 
John McCoy, (now the site of the State 
Camp of Instruction), but gives no 
date. 

On the 8th day of August, 1745, oc- 
curs a sale of land from Andrew John- 
son and Isabella, his wife, daughter 
of Stephanns Van Cortlandt, to Caleb 
Hall and Pelatiah Hawes, consisting 
of a part of lot No. 2, situated in great 
front lot Nov. 9, beginning on south 
side of Peek's Creek. Containing 351 
acres, excepting 16 acres of land con- 
veyed by said Johnson to Mrs. Ger- 
trude Beekman. 

Fifteen years subsequent to the 
above sale, Andrew Johnson conveys 
to Caleb Hall, Joseph Travis, and 
Pelatiah Hawes, "lands situated at a 
place called Peekskill." In the year 
1765 Daniel Birdsall, Nathaniel Brown, 
Joseph Travis, and Capt. Isaac Conk- 
lin, commenced the settlement of the 



present village. At that early period 
there was little or no business trans- 
acted here. The first store was erect- 
ed by Daniel Birdsall, in the vicinity 
of Middle dock, near the Mill of An- 
drew Johnson. 

It appears from the following in- 
denture that as early as 1750 the afore- 
oald Andrew Johnson conveyed In 
trust to Caleb Hall, Joseph Travis and 
Pelatiah Hawes, six acres of land to 
promote the erection of a church edi- 
fice. The conveyance is dated March 
23, 1750. Yet no building appears to 
have been begun until 1766, when 
Beverly Robinson, Jeremiah Drake, 
Caleb Ward, Isaac Hatfield and Chas. 
Moore were appointed trustees for di- 
recting and carrying on a building, 
and for securing to the inhabitants 
as a place of public worship, accord- 
ing to the establishment of the Church 
of England. This edifice, which is 
stil Istanding in the Van Cortlandtville 
Cemetery, was the Old Parish Church 
of St. Peter's, which was publicly dedi- 
cated by the Rev. John Ogilvie, D.D., 
on- the 9th of August, 1767. 

"On the 18th of August, 1770, the 
members of St. Peter's Church, in the 
Manor of Cortlandt, and the lower 
part of Philipe's patent, received their 
charter.from Cadwallader Golden, gov- 
ernor of the Province of New York. 
This document named "Beverly Rob- 
inson and Charles Moore to be church 
wardens, and Jeremiah Drake, Caleb 
Wood, John Johnson, Joshua Nelson, 
Thomas Davenport and Henry Purdy 
to be vestrymen of the said church." 

The following minutes relates to the 
first meeting held under the charter 
"September 1st, 1770, at a meeting of 
the church wardens and vestry of 
Saint Peter's Church, in the Manor 
of Cortlandt, near Peekskill ; present 
Mr. Robinson and Mr. Charels Moore, 
wardens; Mr. J. Johnson, Mr. Caleb 
Wood, Mr. J. Nelson and Mr. Jere- 
miah Drake, vestrymen. At a subse- 
quent meeting It was agreed to extend 
a call to Rev. John Doty to become 
rector, when ordained and a bond was 
given to the Rev. Samuel Auchmuty, 



118 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



D.D., to secure the payment of £40 
annually to said Doty. 

On the 8th of June, 1771, Mr. Doty 
having been duly and regularly li- 
censed to preach, was given the keys 
and possession of the rectory, June 8, 
1771, On July 16th, following Gov- 
ernor Wm. Tryon issued the neces- 
sary documents fully establishing Mr. 
Doty in his honorable position. The 
same year Tryon granted a special 
charter, in virtue whereof, the vestry 
held a certain globe of two hundred 
acres of land given by Colonel Beverly 
Robinson, senior warden of the parish, 
for the use of the rector officiating 
one-half of his time at Saint Philips 
in the Highlands. 

This property was subsequently sold 
under an order of the Court of Chan- 
cery in 1838, and equally divided be- 
tween the two churches. During 1772 
a rectory was built at a cost of $375. 
Mr. Doty did not long continue in this 
field, for on the 18th of September, 
1775, we find that a subscription was 
on foot towards the support of the 
Rev. Bernard Page, during his preach- 
ing at St. Peter's Church. This 
worthy remained but a short time, and 
for seventeen years nearly the church 
remained closed. 

At the close of the Revolutionary 
ton, "to seize the church arui glebe, 
ton, "to seize the church and globe, 
and under the act of 1784, chose trus- 
tees, who, it seems, were all of one 
persuasion. But these nefarious 
schemes were happily frustrated, and 
the church finally incorporated under 
the old title." It seems that during 
the incumbency of the Rev. Andrew 
Fowler, that he gave permission to 
Rev. Silas Constant, of Yorktown, to 
preach in St. Peter's, he having ex- 
tended the courtesies of the pulpit at 
Crompond to Mr. Fowler, on a prev- 
ious occasion. Some years later, when 
Constant asked a like permission, the 
vestry voted "That leave cannot be 
granted to the Rev. Constant, to preach 
in the church of St. Peter's consistent 
with the canons of the church. 

The Rev. Andrew Fowler resigned 
in 1794, and subsequently removed to 



Charleston, S. C, where he labored 
until his death, Dec. 29th, 1850, at the 
great age of ninety-one years and 
seven months. The successors of Rev. 
Mr. Doty have been as follows: Sept. 
18, 1775, Rev. Bernard Page; Aug. 7, 
1792, Rev. Andrew Fowler; Dec. 15, 
1794, Rev. Samuel Haskell; April 7, 
1806, Rev. Joseph Warren; April 17, 
1811, Rev. John Urquhart; June 11, 
1817, Rev. Petrus S. Ten Broeck; May 
29, 1826, Rev. Edward J. Ives; Dec, 
1832, Rev. James Sunderland; April, 
1838, Rev. Wm. C. Cooley; Mar. 3, 
1841, Rev. Moses Marcus; June 7, 
1843, Rev. Wm. Barlow; April 25, 1848, 
Rev. Geo. S. Gordon; Oct. 12, 1854, Rev. 
Edmund Roberts; Dec, 1863, Rev. 
John Rutherford Mathews; Oct. 1, 
1865, Rev. Erskine M. Rodman; Feby. 
10, 1869, Rev. Francis Harison. 

The Presbyterian Church in Peeks- 
kill was organized June 26th, 1826, by 
the Rev. Elihu W. Baldwin, of the 
Presbytery of New York, according to 
the book of discipline of the Presby- 
terian Church in the U. S. of America. 
It consisted at the time of its organ- 
ization of sixteen members, viz.; Ben- 
jamin Illingworth, an Elder of the 
Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, 
with a letter of dismission from the 
same; Daniel Merritt, Nancy Conklin, 
Elizabeth Oakley, Elizabeth Campbell, 
Ann Conklin, Caroline Strang, Mahala 
Gilbert, Rebecca Hawes, Maria Jones, 
Jemima Brown, Sarah Dusenberry, 
Mary Oakley, Rachel (Van) Buskirk, 
Ann Budd and Susan Shaw, being a 
secession of members from the Inde- 
pendent Congregational Church in 
Peekskill. Benjamin Illingw^orth and 
Daniel Merritt were elected elders." 
In October of the same year the 
church became connected with the 
Presbytery of New York and at the 
same time extended a call to the Rev. 
John H. Leggett, then a member of 
the Second Presbytery of New York. 
He was succeeded in the year 1831 by 
the Rev. Wm. Marshall. In 1841 nine 
members withdrew from this church, 
who together with two members from 
the Second Congregational Church of 
New London, Conn., were organized 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



119 



into a church on Nov. 17th, 1841, by 
the Presbytery of North River, and be- 
came the Second Presbyterian Church 
of Peekskill." They began public 
worship on Sunday, Nov. 21st, 1841, 
in the First M. E. Church, on South 
street. Services were conducted by 
the Rev. Daniel Brown. 

A church edifice was erected subse- 
quently, which was dedicated April 
9th, 1845. 

Mr. Marshall resigned from the First 
Church in 1843. On Nov. 1st, 1843, 
the Rev. D. M. Halliday was installed 
as pastor. In 1846 a new church 
building was erected, which was great- 
ly enlarged in 1858. 

Owing to ill health. Dr. Halliday 
resigned October 20th, 1867, after a 
pastorate of nearly a quarter of a 
century, during which the membership 
had increased five fold. Toward the 
close of Dr. Halliday's ministry in 
Peekskill, a lot opposite the church on 
South street was purchased as a site 
for a parsonage, which was subse- 
quently erected, the cost of lot and 
parsonage aggregating $13,550. The 
Congregation after the departure of 
their beloved pastor, Halliday, sat 
under the preaching of various sup- 
plies, until May 14, 1868, when the Rev. 
John N. Freeman was ordained and 
installed. 

The Van Nest Reformed (Dutch) 
Church of Peekskill, is the daughter 
of the Reformed Church at Cortland- 
town (Montrose). In 1836 a nucleus 
worshipped in the church "on the hill" 
on Diven street. The latter orig- 
inally built by an independent Pres- 
byterian body, became the home of a 
congregational Church in 1826. Un- 
able to continue an independent so- 
ciety, they made overtures for a union 
with the Reformed Church at Cort- 
landtown in 1831. The Consistory of 
that church entertained their propos- 
als favorably, assumed their property 
and their debts under the name and 
title of the Reformed (Dutch) Church 
of Peekskill. Eleven members were 
then received, five men and six women. 
By the terms of consolidation the pas- 
tor below. Rev. Robert Kirkwood, was 



to preach in the village church a cer- 
tain part of the time, and also admin- 
ister the sacraments; but all baptisms 
and marriages as well as communi- 
cants were to be registered in the 
books at Cortlandtown. 

Such was the condition of affairs 
when Rev. Cornelius D. Westbrook, 
D.D., was called as pastor. The loca- 
tion of the church in this village was 
very unfavorable, and so Dr. West- 
brook prevailed upon the consistory 
to take measures for the erection of 
a new edifice upon another site. A 
committee was appointed for that pur- 
pose, and as a result of its labors a 
church was built on the south side of 
Main street, a little east of the Eagle 
Hotel. The corner-stone was laid 
April 29, 1839, on which occasion the 
Rev. J. Mason Macauley preached an 
appropriate sermon in the Episcopal 
Church. The congregation worship- 
ping in the new edifice then adopted 
the style and title of the Van Nest 
Reformed Dutch Church of Peekskill, 
in memory of Abraham Van Nest, of 
New York, a friend of Dr. Westbrook, 
and donor of the beautiful silver com- 
munion set which has been in use 
since 1839. The set consists of six 
pieces, each bearing this inscription, 
"A Gift from Abraham Van Nest, of 
the City of New York, to the Van 
Nest Reformed Dutch Church, at 
Peekskill, N. Y., 1839." 

The church continued under the 
care of the consistory of the mother 
church until September 1, 1850, when 
the present organization was effected 
by the reception of nine members, and 
the election of John C. Storm and 
Samuel Lent as elders, by order of 
the South Classis of New York. The 
Rev. Chas. D. Buck succeeded Dr. 
Westbrook in 1851, and remained 
nineteen years. 

The corner-stone of the new edifice, 
a fine brick building at the north- 
east corner of Main and James streets, 
was laid, Jany. 17, 1864, and on De- 
cember 28th following was consecrat- 
ed to the service of Almighty God." 

Bolton states that the Van Nest Re- 
formed Dutch Church was incorpor- 



120 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



ated Jany. 3, 1843, and called by the 
above name in consideration of ttie 
private virtues and public liberality 
of Abraham Van Nest of New York. 
The consistory also resolved to con- 
fide the management to a board of 
nine trustees. The following gentle- 
men were elected to this office Jany. 
16, 1843; James Goetschins, William 
Leavens, John P. Cruger. Washington 
S. Whitney, J. Henry Ferris, Thomas 
Nelson, Hercules Lent, Charles A. G. 
Depew and N. S. Jacobs. 

The first Baptist Church stood east 
of the residence of the late Hon. 
Pierre Van Cortlandt on the spot now 
occupied by the district school house. 

The following document demon- 
strates that the above w'as organized 
at a very early date. 

It is entitled "an agreement made 
the 17th day of December, 1772, by 
and between the subscribers, as fol- 
lows, to-wit: "Whereas the society 
of people called Baptists, by way of 
voluntary subscriptions, have lately 
erected and built a house of public 
worship, at or near a place called 
Peekskil], in the Manor of Cortlandt, 
and as there is not as yet a sufficient 
sum of money raised to pay for the 
building, said house, we the subscrib- 
ers, do agree upon and appoint Caleb 
Hall, of the said Manor of Cortlandt, 
to hire a sum of money sufficient to 
pay the deficiency: and w^e jointly 
and severally promise and oblige our- 
selves, our heirs, executors and ad- 
ministrators, to pay to the said Caleb 
Hall, his executors or administrators, 
one equal part of the sum that he 
shall so hire, according to the pro- 
portion of our first subscription: 

Provided that if there shall be 
money raised by way of subscription, 
sufficient to pay the cost laid out in 
building said house, that the money 
so hired shall be paid out of the 
same. In witness whereof we have 
hereunto set our hands, 
Caleb Hall, Sen., John Poun 
Isaac Horton, Sen., Joshua Horton, 
Daniel Hall. Caleb Hall. Jr.. 

Richard Williams, Nathan Brown, 
Nathan Elliott, Oliver Yeomans." 



The foregoing applies to the Baptist 
Church which was built at Van Cort- 
landtville, then known as "Peekskill." 

The present society in the village 
proper was organized in 1843 under 
the style and title of the First Baptist 
Church of Peekskill, October 31st, 
1843, the Rev. Edward Conover was 
duly elected pastor, but was succeed- 
ed Nov. 25th, 1844, by the Rev. C. C. 
' Williams, and the latter by the Rev. 
P. Buel, who began his ministry Aug. 
23, 1846. In the meantime a meeting 
house was built at a cost of $3,400, 
which was dedicated April 8th, 1847, 
on which occasion the dedicatory ser- 
mon was delivered by the Rev. W. R. 
Williams, D.D. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Peekskill was first incorporated Aug. 
23rd, 1808, with Bethune Washburne, 
Gilbert Weeks, and John Spock, .as 
trustees. 

There must have been a society 
here prior to the above date, for on 
the 26th of February, 1795, John 
Drake, and Catharine, his wife, con- 
vey three quarters of an acre of land 
in this place to William Hallock, 
Thomas Clark, William Weeks, Abra- 
ham Travis, and Stephen Newby, man- 
agers of the Methodist Society. The 
present church edifice erected in 1837 
(since greatly altered and enlarged) 
occupies the site of a former place 
of worship erected in 1811. 

The Methodist Protestant Society 
was founded here in 1827, and the 
church incorporated Nov. 23, 1836, 
with John Spock, Wm. R. Steel, and 
Thomas Blackney, trustees. The 
Wesleyan Methodists, originally be- 
longed to the old Methodist society, 
from which body they seceded in 1839. 
Their first pastor was Rev. John 
Miles. The church building was 
erected in 1839, and the organization 
incorporated in 1842. 

St. Paul's i\Iethodist Episcopal 
Church was organized in 1865 and a 
fine brick building was erected the 
same year. This new organization 
was an off-shoot from the First 
Church on South street. 

The old Reformed (Dutch) Church, 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



121 



of Cortlandt Manor, stood on Mont- 
rose Point on the farm now owned by 
the Hon. Frederick W. Seward. This 
building, which was probably erected 
in 1729-30, was standing in 1793, but 
was destroyed by fire soon afterwards. 

The present church of Cortlandtown 
was built between 1795 and 1799. A 
parsonage was erected on the glebe 
adjoining the church in 1854. The 
church land consisted of 16 acres of 
ground, a portion of which has been 
laid out in what is called Cedar Hill 
cemetery. The lot on which the 
church stands, containing something 
more than an acre, was given to the 
society March 31, 1795, by James 
Cockroft, of the city of New York, 
for the sum of five shillings good and 
lawful money of the State of New 
York to him in hand paid, &c. 

This church was incorporated Dec. 

30, 1794; Wm. Lent, Peter Goetschius, 
Hercules Lent, elders; Abraham Lent, 
Benjamin Dycknian, Jacobus Kronk- 
hite, deacons. The following minis- 
ters since Rev. Wm. Manly, April 
1800, have served this flock: March 
27, 1810, Rev. Abraham Hoffman; Oct. 
21, 1831, Rev. Robert Kirkwood; Oct. 

31, 1836, Rev. Cornelius Depew West- 
brook, D.D.; Sept., 1850, Rev. Samuel 
Lockwood; August, 1853, Rev. John 
B. Steele; 1859, Rev. John St. John; 
1867, Rev. Polhemus Van Wyck; 1870, 
Rev. John C. Garretson. 

Near Crugers, a short distance from 
Montrose's Point, is situated the Pro- 
testant Episcopal Church, called the 
"Church of the Divine Love." The 
corner-stone, of which was laid by 
the Rev. T. C. Johnson, D.D., June 11, 
1869. 

One of the notable places of the 
town of Cortlandt is the Boscobel 
House, built in 1792 by Staats Morris 
Dyckman. This gentleman was the 
fifth son of Jacob Dyckman, of 
Philipsburgh, and protege of Gen. 
Staats Morris He was also for many 
years the private secretary of Sir 
William Erskine (commissary general 
of the British army), in which capac- 
ity he attended the latter to Europe. 
Sir William died in 1795, leaving a 



large and valuable property to his 
secretary. After the Revolutionary 
War the English government present- 
ed Mr. Dyckman with a full set of 
diamonds and a golden urn 18 inches 
high. The granddaughter of Staats 
Morris, Mrs. John P. Cruger, was the 
daughter of Peter Corne Dyckman by 
his wife Eliza Kennedy. (It was un- 
doubtedly at the house of this lady's 
father that Alexander Hamilton 
stopped for a few days in order to re- 
cover from a rheumatic attack while 
in the neighborhood of Peekskill, 
about 1780. Among the treasures of 
Boscobel was a fine library of rare 
and valuable books, amounting to 
6,000 volumes, which were nearly all 
destroyed by an accidental fire. 

Among the well known families of 
this portion of the town is that of 
Cruger. "John Cruger" was the first 
of that name, who came from Ger- 
many to America previous to the year' 
1700, and lived in the city of New 
York. An old record in the posses- 
sion of John C. Cruger, of Cruger's 
Island, Dutchess County, N. Y., says: 
"From the traditionary account in 
the family and the coat of arms which 
he brought with him, it is supposed 
he was descended from the family of 
Baron Von Cruger The name of that 
family was always spelled with a "C", 
while that of the commonality in Ger- 
many is spelled with a "K." The Hon. 
Nicholas Cruger was a direct descend- 
ant. The last named gentleman was 
a graduate of West Point and served 
with distinction on the frontiers in 
actions with the Indians. 

A Methodist Episcopal Church is 
also located near Boscobel, which was 
erected in 1868. The well known 
Ferris family have severel representa- 
tives in this town. The Hon. Caleb 
L. Ferris, who attained various civic 
and military honors, was a trusted 
and respected resident of this hamlet. 
The ruins of the "Old Cortlandt Fur- 
nace" are situated a short distance 
from Boscobel. 

An Interesting Document. 

The following is a copy of the orig- 
inal manuscript of Rules, which were 



122 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



in force on the steamboat Clermont 
about 1811. This copy was handed to 
me by J. D. Mowris, who received an 
original from his family. 

Mr. Mowris's mother was a passen- 
ger. 

Frost Horton. 

This Document was handed to me 
by Frost Horton, who received it 
from Mr. J. D. Mowris, as stated 
above. 

Stephen D. Horton. 
Clermont. 
North River Steamboat. 
The Steamboat. 

The Steamboat will leave New York 
for Albany every afternoon, exactly 
at 5 o'clock and will pass West Point 
at about 3 oclock on Sunday morning, 
Newburgh 6, Poughkeepsie 10, Esopus 
1, Red Hook 3, Catskill 6, Hudson 
8, Albany. 

She will leave Albany for New York 
every Wednesday morning exactly at 
8 o'clock and pass Hudson about 3 
in the afternoon, Esopus 8, in the 
evening, Poughkeepsie 12 at night, 
Newburgh 4, Thursday morning. West 
Point 7, Thursday morning. As the 
time at which the boat may arrive at 
the above mentioned places may vary 
an hour more or less according to 
the advantage or disadvantage of the 
wind or tide, those who wish to come 
on board will see the necessity of 
being on the spot an hour before the 
time. Persons wishing to come on 
board from any other landing than 
here specified, can calculate that time 
the boat will pass and be ready on 
its arrival. 

Time Keepers or boatmen who 
bring passengers on board, or take 
them ashore, from any part of the 
river, will be allowed one shilling for 
each person. Price of passage from 
New York to West Point $3.00. New- 
burgh $3.25, Poughkeepsie $4.00, Eso- 
pus $4.25, Red Hook $4.50, Hudson 
$5.00, Albany $7.00. 

All other passengers are to pay at 
the rate of One Dollar for every 20 
miles, and a half dollar for every meal 
they think proper to have. 



No one can be taken on board and 
put on shore however short the dis- 
tance for less than $2.00. Young per- 
sons from two to ten years of age, 
to pay half fare, or two thirds if he 
or she sit at table with the company. 
Children under the age of two years, 
one fourth price. Servants who pay 
two thirds price are entitled to a 
berth; if they pay half price no berth. 

Every person paying full price is 
allowed 60 lbs of baggage, if less than 
the whole price 40 lbs. They are to 
pay at the rate of three cents a pound 
for all surplus baggage. 

Any person taking a berth shall 
have no right to change it without 
permission of the Captain. 

A person entering the name in the 
book for a passage, shall pay half 
price, although they shall decline. 
Half the price of the baggage to be 
paid at the time of entering, or the 
berth will be considered free for any 
other subscriber. 

Passengers will breakfast before 
they come on board; dinner will be 
served up exactly at 2 o'clock, tea 
with meats, which is also supper at 
8 in the evening, and breakfast at 9 
in the morning. No one has a claim 
for victuals at any other hour. 

Regulations 

For the North River Steamboat. 

The rules which are made for order 
and neatness in the boat are not to 
be abused. Judgment shall be accord- 
ing to the letter of the law. Gentle- 
men wishing well to so public and 
useful establishment will see the pro- 
priety of the least imposition on the 
purse or feelings of any individual. 

The back cabin of 12 berths, but 
which will accommodate 18 persons, 
is exclusively for the Ladies and their 
children. They who first apply and 
enter the name on the book, and at 
the same time pay their passage 
money, shall have the choice of the 
12 berths. Any greater number of 
persons will accommodated with so- 
phas or cross lockers. 

The Great Cabin of 24 berths, which 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



123 



will accommodate 35 persons, is for 
Gentlemen. Tlie first who shall ap- 
ply and enter their names in the book, 
at the same time paying their pas- 
sage money, will have the choice of 
the 24 berths. Any greater number of 
persons will be accommodated with 
sophas. 

The Fore Cabin of 16 berths will ac- 
commodate 24 persons. The first who 
apply on entering their names and 
paying their passage money will have 
the choice berths. Any greater num- 
ber of persons will be accommodated 
with sophas. 

Way passengers, who are not out 
for more than half the night are not 
entitled to lie down in a berth. 

As the comfort of all persons must 
be considered, cleanliness, neatness 
and order are necessary. 

It is, therefore, not permitted, that 
any person shall smoke in the Ladies' 
Cabin, or in the Great Cabin, under 
a penalty, first of One Dollar and a 
half ($1.50) and half a dollar for each 
half hour they offend against this 
rule, the money to be spent in wine 
for the company. 

It is not permitted for any person 
to lie down in a berth with their 
boots and shoes on under a penalty 
of One Dollar and a half ($1.50) and 
a half dollar for every half an hour 
they may offend against this rule. 

A shelf has been added to each 
berth on which Gentlemen will please 
put their boots, shoes and collars, that 
the Cabin may not be incumbered. 

On deck and in the Fore Cabin it is 
allowed to smoke. In the Ladies' 
Cabin and in the Great Cabin, Cards 
and all games are to cease at 10 
o'clock in the evening, that those per- 
sons who wish to sleep might not be 
disturbed. 

As the Steamboat has been fitted up 
in an elegant style, order is necessary 
to keep it so. Gentlemen will there- 
fore please to observe cleanliness and 
a reasonable attention not to injure 
the furniture; for this purpose no one 
must sit on a table under the penalty 
of half a dollar for each time and 
breakage of tables, chairs, sophas or 
windows, tearing of curtains or in- 



jury of any kind must be paid for be- 
fore leaving the boat. 

Among the names deserving a high 
place in the annals of the town of 
Cortlandt is that of the Hon. William 
Nelson. This gentleman was born on 
a farm near Hyde Park, Dutchess 
County, this state, on June 29, 1784, 
the son of Thomas and Mary (Wright) 
Nelson. His ancestors came to Am- 
erica from England about the middle 
of the seventeenth century, and set- 
tled near Mamaroneck, in this county. 
The Nelsons were of Puritan stock 
and were possessed of deep and abid- 
religious convictions. 

Mr. Nelson passed his earlier years 
on his father's farm, and in the win- 
ter obtained such schooling as the 
schools of the neighborhood afforded- 
In his young manhood he attended the 
Academy at Poughkeepsie, where he 
acquired a fair knowledge of the Eng- 
lish branches, and made some prog- 
ress as a Latin scholar. Later he 
studied law, in the office of Theron 
Rudd, of Poughkeepsie, a lawyer of 
distinction in that city. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1807. His di- 
ploma was signed by Wm. Kent, the 
chief justice of the supreme court of 
this state. 

It was Mr. Nelson's intention to have 
begun his career as a disciple of Coke 
and Blackstone at Buffalo, then a 
small village on the almost extreme 
western border of this state. He rode 
on horseback during his prospecting 
tour across the Empire State, and was 
favorably impressed with the outlook. 
He returned East, purposing to return 
to Buffalo in a short time. Profes- 
sional business brought him to Peeks- 
kill, where he found so many awaiting 
his services, and so much business 
gradually accumulating that he was 
fairly forced to remain here, or rudely 
sever his connection with a growing 
and remunerative business, and from 
business and professional friends in 
large numbers. 

Prior to Mr. Nelson's advent, Peeks- 
kill had become a noted shipping 
point on the Hudson River. Farmers 



124 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



from places as far east as Danbury, 
Connecticut, came here with produce 
for the New York market. So Peeks- 
kill grew and prospered. 

In 1812 Mr. Nelson married Miss 
Cornelia Hardman, a woman of fine 
mind, of well ordered habits, and 
kindly disposition, a helpmeet indeed. 
For fifty-seven years they travelled 
life's journey together, Mrs. Nelson 
passing away August 28, 1869, and he 
five weeks later, on October 2d, fol- 
lowing. "They were lovely and pleas- 
ant in their lives, and in death they 
were not divided." 

Honors came to this worthy gentle- 
man- In 1815 he was appointed Dis- 
trict Attorney for the Westchester, 
Rockland and Putnam district. He 
was District Attorney for Westchester 
County from Feb. 21, 1822, to Sept. 
27, 1844, holding the record for that 
office in this county. He was elected 
Member of Assembly in 1819-20, and 
was State Senator from 1824 to 1827. 
He was a representative from this 
congressional district in the thirtieth 
and thirty-first congresses from 1847 
to 1851. In the former he was a fellow 
member of that distinguished rep- 
resentative from Illinois, Abraham 
Lincoln, whom in February, 1861, Mr. 
Nelson had the pleasure of welcoming 
at Peekskill, while Mr. Lincoln was 
on his way by special train to Wash-" 
ington for his inauguration as Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

(The train made a stop of five min- 
utes to take on wood and water.) 

Mr. Nelson as the train came to a 
stop, stepped on the platform and wel- 
comed Mr. Lincoln in a few words 
which he read from manuscript. Mr. 
Lincoln stepped to the front, shook 
hands with our fellow townsman and 
made a short speech of appreciation, 
which was heard far beyond the circle 
of Mr. Nelson's auditors. If memory 
is not at fault, Joseph Hudson was 
the conductor of the special train, at 
that time, having been in the employ 
of the Hudson River Railroad for sev- 
eral years prior to this event. Sub- 



sequently he served for twelve years 
as postmaster of this village.) 

Albert Wells was, in liis day, a fa- 
mous educator, whose influence upon 
the minds, hearts and characters of 
the hundreds of young men who came 
under his influence and teaching dur- 
ing forty years of the practice of his 
noble profession. Three years at the 
Newburgh Academy, seven years at 
the Mount Pleasant Academy, at Sing 
Sing, and thirty years at the Peekskill 
Military Academy, rounded out this 
period- 
Mr. Wells graduated from Rutger's 
College, New Brunswick, N. J. He re- 
ceived his preparatory schooling at 
the Durham Academy, in Greene 
County, N. Y. Here his preceptor was 
a Mr. Stow, a graduate of Union Col- 
lege, Schenectady, and one "apt to 
teach," and with the faculty to in- 
spire his students with a love for 
knowledge. 

Mr. Wells came to Peekskill in the 
spring of 1843 and took up the work, a 
well equipped and most capable tutor. 

He was a man of high ideals and 
noble aspirations, and led his pupils 
along the road to knowledge with an 
enthusiasm that was ever bright and 
sparkling. 

Mr. Wells had three brothers, the 
Rev. Noah Hobart, Francis and Ed- 
ward Wells. 

The last two were lawyers of learn- 
ing and ability. 

Albert Wells was born at New Lon- 
don, Conn., March 31, 1807, and died 
at Keokuk, Iowa, March 1, 1897, a span 
of almost ninety years. 

Edward Wells, the youngest brother 
of the above named, was for six years, 
1851 to 1857, the able District Attor- 
ney of this county. 

He was born at Durham, Greene 
County, Dec- 2, 1818. His preparatory 
education was completed at the Mount 
Pleasant Academy at Sing Sing. In 
1837 he entered the junior class of 
Yale College and from which institu- 
tion he graduated in 1839, with the de- 
gree of B. A. Three years later he re- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



125 



ceived from his alma mater the degree 
of Master of Arts. After leaving col- 
lege, Mr. Wells became a member of 
the faculty of the Mount Pleasant 
Academy, in the meantime studying 
law in the office of General Aaron 
Ward, and Albert Lockwood, after- 
wards county judge. 

In 1841 he was appointed assistant 
to Alexander Wells, Surrogate of this 
county, and removed to White Plains, 
where he continued his legal studies 
under Minot Mitchell, the then leader 
of the Westchester County bar. He 
was admitted as an attorney to the 
Supreme Court of this state in Octo- 
ber, 1842, and as Solicitor in Chancery 
in November of the same year. In 
December, 1842, associated with John 
Currey (who later removed to Cali- 
fornia, and became Supreme Court 
Judge of that state), began the prac- 
tice of his profession in Peekskill. 
We find that in 1846 he was licensed 
as a Counsellor in the Supreme Court 
of the United States. He was a legal 
practitioner for fifty-four years, and 
was also a prominent factor in the re- 
ligious life of this community. Edu- 
cational matters claimed and secured 
much of his personal time and atten- 
tion- He was president of the Board 
of Education of Union Free School 
District No. 8 for more than a decade; 
and his voice and pen were ever ready 
to espouse the cause of the public 
schools. 

Mr. Wells was one of the early 
vice presidents of the Peekskill Sav- 
ings Bank, a trustee of the Westches- 
ter County Bible Society, Member of 
the American Board of Foreign Mis- 
sions, also its judicial adviser and 
counsellor. He was a member of the 
First Presbyterian Church, and for 
forty years had been a ruling elder, 
a trustee of the Presbytery, and eight 
or ten times a commissioner to the 
general assembly. 

October 21, 1856, he was married to 
Miss Hannah Hamill, daughter of Rev. 
Chas. W. Nassau, D.D., of Lawrence- 
ville, N. J., formerly president of La- 
fayette College. Mr. Wells was 



among those who advocated temper- 
ance, when to do so was not popular, 
and his course was always consistent 
with his profession. 

The Hon. Nicholas Cruger, who 
lived in a fine old mansion, not far 
from Oscawana Island, and overlook- 
ing the Hudson, was for some years 
a man of affairs in the town of Cort- 
landt. He received a military edu- 
cation at West Point and graduated 
from the U- S. Military Academy, num- 
ber fifteen, in June 30, 1820, with the 
rank of Brevet 2d Lieutenant of in- 
fantry. The next day, July 1, 1820, he 
was commissioned full second lieuten- 
ant in the 2d U. S. infantry. He w'as 
transferred during the year from the 
2d to the Seventh, and from the Sev- 
enth to the Sixth. He became first 
lieutenant in the same command Feb. 
28, 1823, and four years later, Feb. 11, 
1827, was commissioned captain. Capt. 
Cruger resigned his commission Oct. 
31, 1827, and returned to civil life 
and took up farming as a pastime. He 
became actively interested in the mat- 
ter of tow^n affairs, and was super- 
visor of it for several terms, as before 
noted in these papers. He was elect- 
ed a member of the lower house of 
the state legislature in the fall of 
1837, serving one term. 

His brother, John Peach Cruger, 
who occupied the Boscobel House, and 
married a grand daughter of Staats 
Morris Dyckman, the original owner 
of that historic mansion, was a man 
greatly respected in this community. 
His son. Sergeant Peter Corne Crug- 
er, died in the service of his country 
from wounds received in action at 
the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 
19, 1864, while serving in Company 
A, Sixth Regiment, New York Heavy 
Artillery. 

Among those identified with the his- 
tory of the town of Cortlandt is the 
late Jackson O. Dykman, who studied 
law in the office of Wm. Nelson, and 
later attained high judicial honors in 
this portion of the state. Going from 
Peekskill to Cold Spring, Putnam 
County, he there began the practice 



126 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



of his profession. He was subsequent- 
ly elected school commissioner of that 
county, and later was chosen its dis- 
trict attorney. In 1866 he removed to 
White Plains and shortly after was 
elected district attorney for this 
county. This position he filled with 
great ability. At the conclusion of 
his services as district attorney he 
was nominated for one of the justices 
of the Supreme Court of the judicial 
district comprising the counties of 
Kings, Richmond, Queens, Rockland, 
Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, Dutch- 
ess and Orange. Dyckman won the 
office by a plurality of over ten thou- 
sand votes. Judge Dyckman was 
noted for his considerate, careful, and 
conscientious ruling of the questions 
and cases submitted to his judgment. 



style of Ombony and Dain, purchased 
the lumber yard of James Underbill, 
and conducted the business for many 
years with excellent success. 



Nathaniel Dain. 

This gentleman was for many years 
intimately connected with the busi- 
ness life of the town of Cortlandt, and 
the village of Peekskill. He was not 
born within the manorial limits, but 
first saw the light at Lisbon, Andras- 
coggin County, Maine, Aug. 9, 1819. 
He obtained a good education in the 
schools and academies of his native 
state, and for a while took up the 
study of medicine, which, however, he 
soon relinquished for the profession 
of teaching. His first engagement in 
this vicinity was at West Point, where 
he taught for nearly three years- He 
then came to Peekskill, and for some 
years was principal of the Howard 
street school, a position he filled with 
marked ability. He gave up teaching 
to enter business, and about 1850 as- 
sociated with Frank Fuller, now of 
Chicago, bought out the drug business 
on Main street, of Cyrus Fountain. 
Mr. Fuller caught the "western fever" 
and migrated to Chicago, and eventu- 
ally became wealthy. The partners 
disposed of their stock in trade to Dr. 
James Brewer and Seth H. Mead. 
Of the four persons concerned in these 
transactions, Frank Fuller is the sole 
survivor. 

In February, 18.52, Mr. Dain asso- 
ciated with John Ombony, under the 



Rey. Silas Constant. 

This worthy gentleman was said to 
be a son of an officer in the French 
army, whose name and rank were Jo- 
seph Constant, Colonel, who in March 
1749, married Susan, daughter of Eli- 
jah Tirrell, of Salem parish, Water- 
bury, Connecticut. Shortly after his 
marriage. Colonel Constant sailed for 
France for the purpose of arranging 
his affairs there. The ship in which 
he took passage is supposed to have 
foundered at sea, as no tidings of the 
vessel were ever heard. On January 
15, 1750, at Waterbury, Connecticut, a 
fatherless boy was born and named 
Silas, and his young mother died soon 
afterwards, bequeathing her orphaned 
son to the care of a married sister, 
Mrs. Beebe. Silas's birth is recorded 
with that of the family of Lieutenant 
Jonathan Beebe, who in his will be- 
queathed him "fifty pounds when he 
comes of age." It is said that he 
married his second cousin. Amy, 
daughter of Captain John Lewis, of 
Salem parish, Waterbury, in 1769. 
The exact relationship is somewhat 
doubtful. Mrs. Jonathan Beebe and 
Captain John Lewis were, however, 
second cousins. After his marriage, 
Mr. Constant appears to have resided 
at Waterbury, where he owned a farm, 
until past his thirtieth year- In 1777 
with Stephen Warner and others, he 
operated a mill on Longmeadow Brook 
at Naugatuck, and in 1778, and again 
in 1781, he loaned money to the town, 
to hire soldiers for Horseneck. 

It is conjectured that he pursued 
his theological studies under the di- 
rection of the Rev. Jacob Green, of 
Hanover, New Jersey. On the 29th 
of May, 1783, at the age of thirty- 
three, he was ordained as evangelist 
by the Presbytery of Morris County, 
New Jersey, afterwards known as the 
Associated Presbytery of Morris 
County. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



127 



Mr. Constant's first charge was at 
Blooming Grove, and Smith's Clove, 
now Monroe, Orange County, New 
York. At these places he preached 
on alternate Sundays until his re- 
moval to Crompond, Now Yorktown, 
N. Y., November 3, 1785. 

It is quite probable that he be- 
came acquainted with the people of 
Crompond or Yorktown, and they with 
him, through his journeys from his 
field of labor in Orange County to 
his old home in Waterbury, Connec- 
ticut. He preached his first sermon 
at Yorktown, November 20, 1784, and 
on the 2d of August, 1785, he was 
engaged by the Yorktown Presby- 
terian Church for one year, at a sal- 
ary of fifty pounds and a parsonage. 

On November 8, 1786, the church 
invited him to become its pastor at 
a salary of sixty pounds, and a par- 
sonage, this being an increase of 
twenty per cent. He was soon there- 
after installed by a council, composed 
partly of members of the Associated 
Presbytery, of Morris County, N. J., 
of which Mr. Constant was a member, 
and partly of the Presbytery of Dut- 
chess County, N. Y-, to which the 
church at Yorktown belonged. 

The ceremonies attending this event 
were no doubt of the most impres- 
sive and probably imposing character, 
commensurate with the importance of 
the proceedings, in the social and re- 
ligious circles of this rural commun- 
ity. No doubt it was characterized 
by the exercise of that generous hos- 
pitality toward the visiting brethren, 
which is generally extended to the 
olficial representatives of the bodies 
whose duty it is to supervise and 
provide for the proper conduct of the 
office, prescribed by the constitutional 
procedure. 

The good housewives of the vicin- 
ity held Sunday meetings for consul- 
tation and advice. The services of 
the best cooks and bakers of the 
neighborhood were called into requisi- 
tion. Forthwith preparations went on 
apace. On the day appointed for the 
installation guests from the neighbor- 
ing towns began to arrive. The oc- 



casion was a noteworthy one. Prob- 
ably owing to the position he occu- 
pied, and the bustle and nervousness 
engendered by so much entertainment 
combined with his innate modesty 
may have prevented him (Mr. Con- 
stant) from noting in his journal a 
detailed account of the ceremonies. 

Mr. Constant is described as a tall, 
well proportioned man, of command- 
ing presence. He had received a very 
limited education, but had gathered 
much information from books. He 
possessed great shrewdness and per- 
sonal force, was a ready speaker, a 
power in the religious life of the 
community, and the prime mover and 
leading spirit in the Associated West- 
chester Presbytery, an ecclesiastical 
body a liated to the Associated Pres- 
bytery of Morris County, N. J. In his 
intercourse with his neighbors, he was 
kind and obliging, and his daily walk 
and conversation were above re- 
proach. He preached without notes- 
As a pastor, he was very efficient, his 
visits combining in a happy way the 
social and pastoral. His labors were 
abundant both within the parish, 
which had at least two out stations — 
Red Mills, and Peekskill, where he 
preached — and without, and his min- 
istry successful. 

During the course of his various 
pastorates he rode thousands of miles, 
preached numerous sermons, officiated 
at hundreds of weddings, soothed the 
dying hours of many a soul, and com- 
mitted them to the tomb, baptized in- 
fants, comforted the mourners, and 
cheered and counselled the down- 
hearted. His diary recounts the 
places he has visited, how long he 
remained, and whither bound. 

His first wife. Amy Lewis, died at 
Yorktown, January 4, 1805, aged 53 
years, 7 months and 10 days. She 
was buried in the Presbyterian 
burying ground. 

Mr. Consfant married (2) Mrs. Jane 
D. Robinson, born October 2, 1748, 
and died 4th January, 1830. She was 
interred by the side of her husband 
in the east yard 

By his first wife, Amy Lewis, he 



128 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



had several children. The first born 
of whom was St. John Constant, born 
at Waterbury, Connecticut, May 7th, 
1770. When his father came to York- 
town St. John was a lad of 15. On 
July 2, 1792, he was married by his 
father to Jane, daughter of Nathaniel 
Hyatt, of Yorktown. He and his wife 
later removed to Peekskill, where he 
became a man of affairs- 
Mrs. St. John Constant passed away 
April 30, 1817. 

Prior to the death of his wife he 
became engaged in politics. He was 
judge of the Court of Common Pleas 
from 1806 to 1812, 1822, Sheriff of 
Westchester County 1807-10, 1811-14. 
He also served as president of the vil- 
lage of Peekskill, 1828, '31-'33. He 
was supervisor of the town of Cort- 
landt in 1833. He was member of 
assembly in 1823, and again in 1833. 
His earthly career closed February 
13 1^47, at the age of 77, nearly. 

The Children of St. John Constant, 
and Jane Hyatt, his wife, are as fol- 
lows: 

I. Lewis, who for a number of years 
lived at Caldwell's Landing, now 
Jones's Point, (His wife was a daugh- 
ter of Jacob Nelson.) Mr. Constant, 
when the navigation and weather con- 
ditions permitted, was an almost daily 
visitor to Peekskill, coming over in a 
rowboat. When in winter the river 
was frozen over he walked across, or 
drove over in a sleigh. One of his 
daughters, Susan Matilda, married 
Samuel Jones, a member of the Long 
Island family of that name, and large 
holders of property in the neighbor- 
hood of Caldwells. Mr. and Mrs. Jones 
lived in the house on the northeast 
corner of James and Cortlandt street. 
They had three children, two boys, 
Harrison and Albert, and one daugh- 
ter, Florence. This interesting fam- 
ily removed from Peekskill in the 
"seventies" and at present are living 
at Westfield, Mass., where the "boys" 
are conducting a book store, their 
sister keeping house for her bachelor 
brothers. 

II. Samuel Constant. 



III. Nathaniel Constant, who died in 
his 18th year. 

IV. Susan Constant, born October 
IS, 1778, died February 16, 1831. 

V. Joseph Constant, born May 7, 
1801, died October 21, 1864 (unmar- 
ried). 

VI. Emma Constant, born Septem- 
ber 5, 1803, married Henry Rundle 
October 26, 1826, died March 9, 1888. 

VII. Jane Constant, born July 4, 
180.5, married April 17, 1826. James 
Birdsall died Nov. 1, 1879. 

VIII. Silas Constant, born Nov. 11, 
1807, died the following day. 

IX. St. John Constant, born Sept. 
24, 1809, died at Peekskill Dec. 7, 1843. 

X. Silas Constant, born May 11, 
1812, died June 23, 1885. Married May 
29, 1837. 

Caroline Roome Swan, of Brooklyn, 
a son of the above named Henry Swan, 
Constant, was a former resident of 
Peekskill, who went to the front in 
1864, and joined the Sixth Regiment, 
N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Returning 
home, he later married Harriet Louise 
Smith, of Peekskill. He is now a resi- 
dent of Brooklyn. 

Announcement. 

In connection with these papers, 
there will shortly appear, a brief his- 
tory of those men from the town of 
Cortlandt, who served in the "War of 
the Rebellion from April, 1861, until 
its close. This information will be 
collected as nearly as possible from 
official sources, by a veteran of that 
war, who knew a great mapority of 
those men personally. The collection 
of merely the names of these men is 
of vital interest, especially to the fu- 
ture historian of the town of Cort- 
landt. The compilation is made at 
the request of Mr. Stephen D. Horton, 
who is doing so much to interest the 
public at large in the history of this 
locality. 

In 1806 the hamlet of Gibraltar, 
which was later known as Caldwell's 
Landing, and now as Jones Point, was 
laid out into plots for building pur- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



129 



poses. The survey and map of the 
property so plotted was fixed in the 
Secretary of State's office at Albatny. 

Such a project at this time seems 
almost ridiculous. Some of the sites 
ran up the mountain side, at an angle 
of at least 45 degrees. It looks as 
though the intention was to endeavor 
to sell town lots to distant buyers. 
Seth Pomeroy. 

This venerable patriot, of the early 
days of the Revolution, and whose 
later history is so intimately con- 
nected with Peekskill, was born at 
Northampton, Mass., in 1706. For 
thirty years he fought against the In- 
dians and the French. He was a man 
of great courage and indomitable per- 
severance. He was also a man of 
deep religious convictions, which fact 
made him fearless, for he trusted his 
cause to the Almighty. When the tid- 
ings came after the battle of Lexing- 
ton, he rushed to the front, although 
about seventy years old. Nothing 
could daunt his courageous spirit. 
Again at Bunker Hill he distinguished 
himself by seizing a musket and fight- 
ing in the ranks, encouraging the raw 
troops to fight like seasoned veterans. 
When their ammunition was exhaust- 
ed, he cried to his men, "Don't run, 
boys, don't run, club them with your 
muskets as I do: no man shall ever 
see the back of Seth Pomeroy." 

He was commissioned a major gen- 
eral, and was ordered to Peekskill, 
where he contracted a severe cold, 
which developed into prenmonia, from 
which he died February 15, 1777. 

The first postmaster of Peekskill, we 
learn from the official records, was 
Jarvis Dusenbury, at that time a mer- 
chant of this village. The office was 
located in those early days on the 
south side of Main street, where the 
incumbent kept a general store. Its 
site not far from what is No. 965. 
Such sackfuls of letters and papers 
as come to town these days were un- 
known in those primitive times. Prior 
to th'^ appointment of Mr. Dusenbury, 
the mails were delivered by private 
parties at stipulated rates, as prev- 



iously noted in these papers. Mr. 
Dusenbury s appointment is dated 
March 20, 1793, and signed by Timothy 
Pickering, postmaster general. Mr. 
Dusenbury in politics was a federal- 
ist. This worthy gentleman was suc- 
ceeded July 1, 1796, by Daniel Wm. 
Birdsall, who was born in this vil- 
lage Oct. 27, 1767. He was the son 
of Daniel Birdsall, one of the early 
settlers of Peekskill. He served 
the town of Cortlandt as supervisor in 
1821 and 1822. Like his predecessor, 
he was a federalist in politics. He re- 
ceived his appointment from P. M. G. 
John Habersham, who filled that of- 
fice during President Washington's 
last term. The office at that time was 
located in what has passed into his- 
tory as the "Birdsall House," known 
in the days of the Revolution as a 
place of entertainment for the officers 
of the patriotic army, and at whose 
table Washington, Lafayette and Ham- 
ilton and many others of less note oc- 
casionally dined. 

Mr. Birdsall departed this life May 
11, 1850. His remains rest in the 
family plot in Hillside cemetery, 
where they peacefully repose, guarded 
by those of his four wives, Eunice, 
Hephsa, Phehe and Aletta. The lat- 
ter survived him nearly eight years, 
and her predecessors died in 1792, 
1795, and 1815. 

The third name on the list is that 
of Wm. Nelson, the honored and re- 
spected grandsire of Village President 
Thos. Nelson, Jr. Mr. Nelson was 
commissioned Oct. 1, 1810, by Hon. 
Gideon Granger, who was retained in 
the office of P. M. Gen'l by President 
James Madison until 1814. Mr. Nel- 
son was a Whig, and remained in 
peaceable possession of his modest 
station until Dec. 5, 1821, a period of 
a little more than eleven years. 

The gentleman whom Mr. Nelson 
succeeded when the latter assumed 
the reins of local political leadership 
in turn succeeded Nelson, but this was 
not much of a deprivation, for on Feb. 
21, 1822, he was appointed district at- 
torney for Westchester County, a po- 



i:JO 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



sition which he filled most creditably 
and ably for more than twenty-two 
years. 

Mr. Nelson was born at Hyde Park, 
Dutchess County, June 29, 1784, and 
died in Peekskill, Oct. 2, 1869, after 
a long, useful and honorable life. 

It no doubt afforded the honorable 
gentleman last named a great pleas- 
ure to relinquish the cares of state, 
and leadership to the former incum- 
bent and possessor of varied conjugal 
felicity, Daniel Wm. Birdsall, whose 
term continued until July 11, 1826. 
His appointment at this time was 
signed by Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., 
of Ohio. Daniel Wm. so far holds the 
record for length of service as post- 
master of Peekskill — in all eighteen 
years, ten months and six days. 
Then comes Joseph Hudson, with 
twelve years, seven months and nine- 
teen days to his credit, and in third 
place David G. Montross, with a serv- 
ice of twelve years, four months and 
three days, and H. B. Strang lacking 
eight months of Montross's term, but 
fourth on the list in length of service. 
The successor of Daniel William 
Birdsall was a relative of the latter, 
whose first name was William (Bird- 
sall), who received his appointment 
through Wm. T. Barry, who hailed 
from Ohio, and was a member of the 
cabinet of President Monroe, the first 
expounder of the "doctrine" which 
hears his name. 

The latter Birdsall was succeeded 
Feb. 26, 1834, by that sterling citizen, 
Wm. Royce, who, associated with the 
late Francis P. Clark, conducted a 
general store for many years at No. 
9.58 Main street, where the postoffice 
during Mr. Royce's incumbency was 
located. Mr. Royce served one term 
as supervisor of the town of Cortlandt, 
and continued in the office of post- 
master until June 16, 1840. 

Mr. Royce was born in Peekskill 
Oct., 1804, and passed away Oct. 14, 
1864. He was a highly respected 
member of the First M. E. Church, and 
greatly esteemed in the community as 
a man of sterling integrity and moral 



worth. He is the father of Mrs. War- 
ren Jordan, of Peekskill. Mrs. John 
W. Smith and Mrs. Wm. H. Roe, of 
Summit, X. J. 

At one time the name of Joseph 
Strang was a familiar one to the citi- 
zens of the town of Cortlandt. He 
was a man looked up to in the com- 
munity, as one worthy of respect and 
confidence. The trust reposed in him 
was never betrayed. He held the of- 
fice of justice of the peace at the time 
of his appointment. This is one of 
the stations a postamster is permitted 
to occupy under the postal regula- 
tions, and he filled both offices accept- 
ably and well. The postoffice was lo- 
cated on Main street, but the exact 
place is not positively known. Judge 
Strang was appointed June 16, 1840, 
by John M. Niles, who was postmas- 
ter general under President Martin 
Van Buren. Judge Strang served two 
terms in the state legislature, 1830- 
40, as member of assembly from this 
assembly district. He also represented 
the town of Cortlandt as supervisor. 

He was proprietor for several years 
of the wire mill at Oregon, where he 
carried on a large and prosperous 
business. He was a member of the 
well known Strang family of this 
county, a direct descendant from the 
L'Estranges, of New Rochelle, whose 
ancestors fled from religious persecu- 
tion in the old world, to endure strug- 
gles and privatians in the new, ra- 
ther than stifle their heartfelt convic- 
tions. 

Mr. Strang was born in Yorktown 
Dec, 1795, and died in Peekskill Dec. 
29, 1864. 

There now comes upon the scene a 
gentleman who was also a justice of 
the peace, and one who was known 
to almost every man, woman and child 
in the village. Among the children he 
was a great favorite, for he had a 
kind word and a pleasant smile for 
the little folk that were sent to the 
office for the daily mail. And hi3 
quaint speeches in greeting were 
fondly remembered for many a day 

Judge Briggs was appointed April 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



131 



30, 1S41, during the early days of the 
Harrison (Wm. H.) administration, 
and was succeeded in May 20, 1843, by 
Ward B. Howard, who was appointed 
by Charles A. Wickliffe, Tyler's P. M. 
Gen'l, Tyler having changed his poli- 
tics after the untimely death of Gen'l 
Harrison in 1841. In Nov., 1843, Judge 
Briggs was elected sheriff of the 
County of Westchester, and entered 
upon the duties of that important of- 
fice Jan. 1, 1844. Mr. Briggs was 
again made postmaster by President 
Millard Fillmore, Sept. 9, 1852, which 
office he held until May 7, 1853. The 
location of the postoffice here during 
Mr. Briggs' first term was at No. 28 
North Division street, and during his 
second term, at 928 South street. This 
worthy and representative citizen and 
upright public servant was born near 
this village Feb. 14, 1794, and died 
Aug. 12, 1880, in his 87th year. 

Ward B. Howard, who succeeded 
Mr. Briggs after his first term, as- 
sumed the postmastership May 20, 
1843, when Tyler became a "turncoat." 

The postoffice was then moved to 
what is now No. 1009 Main street. Mr. 
Howard had been the democratic lead- 
er in the village and town for some 
years. He was a man of force and 
ability and at one time possessed of 
considerable means. The family vault 
adjoins St. Peter's Church, where the 
remains of his children and of his 
wife, Lucia (Johnston) Howard, who 
died March 8, 1834, are buried. 

During his term as postmaster a 
contest began to wrest the political 
leadership from him. The effort was 
finally successful. The young Demo- 
cracy, led by the late Calvin Frost, H. 
B. Strang and George P. Marshall van- 
quished the doughty champion, and 
took the laurels from his brow. His 
mantle fell upon Mr. Frost, who for 
many years thereafter dictated the 
local procedure, as to policies and 
nominations in the town and village. 
This defeat so wrought upon How- 
ard that after retiring from office he 
sold out his effects and removed to 
Kansas, where he ended his days. He 



was born in Massachusetts in 1788, 
and died in August, 1855. 

On June 6, 1849, President Zachary 
Taylor commissioned Jacob S. Odell, 
a rising young merchant of the vil- 
lage, to be postmaster. The mails 
were received and delivered during 
his administration at No. 922 Main 
street, now constituting the west side 
of the store of Wm. H. Moore. Mr. 
Odell continued in office until May 7, 
1853. Mr. Odell was born at or near 
Varians Mills, in Feb., 1824, and died 
Aug. 1, 1875. He at one time owned 
and operated the Phoenix paper mills, 
at Continentalville, which he pur- 
chased from the former owner, the 
late Thomas Gross. Our veteran ex- 
pressman, Jeremiah C. White, who 
was an expert paper maker, having 
learned the trade in Scotland, worked 
in those mills for many years under 
Mr. Gross, and continued with Mr. 
Odell until the plant was destroyed by 
fire some forty years ago. 

W' ith the advent of President Frank- 
lin Pierce, a new "Richmond" entered 
the field in the person of Hachaliah 
Brown Strang, who was appointed 
May 7, 1853, and held office during 
three administrations, namely. Pierce, 
Buchanan and Lincoln. Mr. Strang 
was a most obliging official (some- 
what to the detriment of his pocket- 
book). It was the custom in those 
days to send newspapers and other 
periodicals, subject to postage, the 
same to be collected from the party to 
whom sent, quarterly, in advance. 
This seemed on the part of many, an 
imposition by the publisher, and so 
"Hachy", rather than make a "fuss" 
or an "enemy", stood the loss, "Uncle 
Sam" holding the postmaster respon- 
sible for such small matters. All 
these disputes are now avoided by the 
iron-clad rule, "All postage prepaid. " 
Mr. Strang fearing that he might not 
be reappointed at the end of his term, 
tendered his resignation, which was 
promptly accepted. This action no 
doubt was appreciated by the political 
powers "that were," but among the 
patrons of the office his retirement 
was greatly regretted. 



132 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



After the breaking out of the war 
in the spring of 1861, the business of 
the local office increased to a remark- 
able degree. In those days the "gen- 
eral delivery" was the channel 
through which the letters, newspapers, 
&c., passed to the persons intended. 
Mr. Strang had a kind heart, and 
as he knew personally almost every 
volunteer from the town of Cortlandt, 
and more especially from this village, 
he made frequent inquiries about the 
'"boys" at the "front." He took oc- 
casion to speed such letters on their 
way to their destinations by the hand 
of some neighbor or friend. 

The following incident illustrates 
his obliging disposition. The late 
James H. Kerr, who at the time in 
question, lived on the farm on the 
Post road, now occupied by Capt. 
Robt. R. Purdy. He was unexpectedly 
called to Washington, D. C, in con- 
nection with some matters pertaining 
to the building of the Smithsonian In- 
stitute in that city, about which there 
was a suit in progress. Mr. Kerr was 
foreman for one of the contracting 
carpenters engaged on the work. He 
was detained in the Capital longer 
than expected, and his wife became 
anxious about him. She accordingly 
dispatched Mr. Kerr's nephew, who 
was then a lad of 12 or 13, to Peeks- 
kill, bright and early one Sunday 
morning for an overdue letter. Wil- 
liam was not very well up in resi- 
dential matters, but by diligent in- 
quiry found that the postmaster lived 
down Main street, nearly opposite "the 
big willow trees" (in the house now 
occupied by Christian Harer. 

Mrs. Strang met William at the 
door. From her he learned that Mr. 
Strang was to church. He and Dom- 
inie Buck, of the Dutch Church, so- 
called, were fellow democrats, and 
"Hachy" was very partial to the par- 
son. The feeling of friendship was 
lifelong on the part of each for the 
other. Hachaliah eventually became 
a deacon and pillar in the church, to 
which he had been for years an at- 
tendant. William met Mr. Strang in 
due time, greeted very kindly by him 



and escorted to the postoffice, but 
there was no letter for Mrs. Kerr. So 
that William had his walk of eleven 
miles for his pains. The office at that 
date was at 922 Main street, but later 
was removed to No. 975, farther up 
the street. 

Mr. Strang was born in Putnam 
County in 1805, and passed away Nov, 
7, 1885, at the ripe old age of 80 
years. He was 18 years old when 
he began his business career in Peeks- 
kill as a clerk in the store of Wm. 
Denike, on the upper dock. 

Charles McCutchen was appointed 
postmaster of Peekskill by President 
Lincoln, Jan. 12, 1865. He rented 
from the Hon. Wm. Nelson the west 
side of the first story of the brick 
building on the corner of Main street 
and Nelson avenue, now known as 
No. 900 Main street, and fitted it up in 
first class shape for a postoffice. Mr. 
Strang, the late incumbent, instructed 
the new appointee in the duties of 
his station. If memory serves cor- 
rectly, John S. Jones was appointed 
clerk, who resigned some months 
later, and was succeeded by Wm. J. 
Charlton, who made way for Theodore 
F. Brown. The work of the office so 
increased that another assistant was 
added later, in the person of Cornelius 
Amory Pugsley. McCutchen was a 
gentleman of considerable business 
experience, and soon mastered the 
management and conduct of the of- 
fice. The late Wm. H. Montross had 
the contract for carrying the mails 
to and from the railroad station, and 
had held it previously for several 
years and also subsequent to this 
time. That famous whip, John E. Al- 
laire, since graduated into a veteran- 
arian, generally was the driver chos- 
en to take and deliver the mails. 
Their arrival was usually the signal 
for a large gathering, eager to secure 
letters or papers as the case might be. 
There ca,me mail three times a week, 
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 
from Lake Mahopac, Red Mills, Ma- 
hopac Falls, Jefferson Valley, Shrub 
Oak, and Mohegan, and also a tri- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



133 



weekly mail from Kent's Cliffs (Boyd's 
Corners), Tompkins and Adams Cor- 
ners, and Putnam Valley, and the 
same from Katonah, Hallock's Mills 
and Yorktown. When the traveling 
was good a mail bag carried by priv- 
ate and reliable parties, supplemented 
the regular service from Shrub Oak 
and Mohegan. Mr. Purdy, the post- 
master at Shrub Oak, held the office 
for more than forty years. 

Increased railroad facilities and the 
establishment of rural free delivery 
routes have relegated the old stage 
coaches to the land of the "have 
beens." 

When the gold fever broke out in 
California in 1849 there was a rush of 
the young and adventurous to the Sun- 
set Slope. Among those who essayed 
to seek their fortunes in the new El- 
dora were the two brothers, Thomas 
and Charles McCutchen. They suf- 
fered many privations and hardships 
across the plains, and meeting many 
unfortuitous circumstances, were 
obliged to return home. They began 
again at the foot of the ladder, and 
set up a tinshop on Main street, not 
far from where the store of Wm. H. 
Lent now is, and made and sold the 
products of their own handiwork. 

Shortly after the breaking out of 
the war, they caught the war fever, 
and like thousands of their country- 
men, volunteered their services, 
Thomas and Charles hied them to 
New York city, and on Sept. 10, 1861, 
enlisted in Company L, Second N. Y. 
Cavalry, and one week later, on the 
17th, were mustered into the United 
States service. On the 23d of the same 
month the brothers were transferred 
to Company F of the same regiment. 
On October 10, 1862, Charles was mus- 
tered in as second lieutenant of Com- 
pany B, his commission being dated 
Oct. 29, with rank from Oct. 10. He 
was transferred to Company F Feb- 
ruary 10, 1863, and was honorably dis- 
charged for disability Aug. 18, 1863. 
Lieutenant McCutchen was severely 
injured when a boy, in a coasting ac- 
cident in which he sustained a frac- 



ture of the skull. Trephining was re- 
sorted to successfully, and a si^er 
plate inserted, which was held in 
place by the skin which grew over it. 
The excitement of army life affected 
this still susceptible spot, and neces- 
sitated his retirement. 

Thomas was promoted to sergeant, 
and then to first or orderly sergeant. 
In a skirmish at Raccoon Ford, Va., 
he was severely wounded Sept. 17, 
1863, and died from its effects at 
Armory Square General Hospital, 
Washington, D. C, Sept. 23, 1863, aged 
38 years and 4 months. Sergeant Mc- 
Cutchen was a brave soldier and con- 
scientious gentleman. His remains 
were brought home and the funeral 
services were held from the Second 
Presbyterian Church, of which he was 
a member. The Rev. Elisha G. Cobb, 
his friend and pastor, officiated. The 
remains were followed by an immense 
concourse of people. The fire depart- 
ment and various civic organizations 
turned out to pay the last tribute of 
respect to his memory. Charles Mc- 
Cutchen retired from the office of post- 
master on the appointment of his suc- 
cessor, Aug. 10, 1869. Soon after he 
engaged in business. July 25, 1879, he 
became one of the charter members of 
Abi-aham Vosburgh Post No. 95, G. A. 
R., and eventually became its com- 
mander. 

In 1883, at the earnest solicitation 
of his brother. Nelson McCutchen, 
Charles removed to Tarry town, and 
entered the employ of the former as 
manager. Later he was appointed po- 
lice justice of the above village, and 
also justice of the peace of the town 
of Greenburgh. He is at present writ- 
ing a highly esteemed resident, of, as 
claimed (by the late M. D. Raymond) 
Peerless Tarrytown." 

Joseph Hudson, who had been a res- 
ident of Peekskill since 1885, and who 
had cast his first vote for Abraham 
Lincoln in the fall of 1860, had almost 
from the foundation of the Republican 
party, taken an active interest in its 
welfare, and .been closely identified 
with its leaders, was selected to sue- 



134 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



ceed Mr. McCutchen, and accordingly, 
General Grant, following preced- 
ent, commisisoned Hudson, whose 
nomination had been promptly con- 
firmed by the Senate, Aug. 10, 1869. 
The new postmaster did not have plain 
sailing, for none of McCutchen's re- 
maining clerks would serve without 
asking conditions to which Mr. Hud- 
son very properly refused to accede. 
But the new postmaster was equal to 
the occasion. He applied to the 
Poughkeepsie office for assistance, and 
the postmaster there sent him a very 
competent gentleman to break in the 
inexperienced force. The office did 
not long remain at 900 Main street, 
but was removed to 927 Main, across 
the street, and then, after the erection 
of the Horton building on Central ave- 
nue, to No. 952 of that thoroughfare, 
being changed during his last term to 
its present location, No. 937 South 
street. Mr. Hudson was reappointed 
in 1873 by General Grant, and the 
third time by President Hayes. It is 
probable that he might have been ap- 
pointed for the fourth term by Presi- 
dent Garfield had he been alive when 
Mr. Hudson's last term expired. As 
Mr. Hudson was not friendly to the 
placing of General Arthur's name on 
the ticket with Garfield, he deemed it 
advisable to tender his resignation. 

It is generally conceded that Mr. 
Hudson made an excellent official. 
Among the office force during his in- 
cumbency were Henry S. Free, L. F. 
Crumb, and E. De M. Lyon. One of 
these gentlemen has since proven him- 
self an apt pupil of the ex-postmaster 
in the management of matters polit- 
ical. 

Mr. Hudson, as a power in politics, 
has enjoyed the confidence of the party 
leaders in a remarkable degree; he 
has been a delegate to his party's na- 
tional, state, county, senatorial and 
congressional conventions. He has 
frequently been called upon to pre- 
side as chairman in the three last 
named. He has been chairman of the 
third assembly district committee for 
over forty-three years, and has not 



missed in that time of calling the con- 
ventions of said district to order. He 
was chairman of tlie third school com- 
missioners' district for nearly as long 
a time. He also has been for fifty 
years a delegate to the Republican 
county convention. In fact, he holds 
the record against all comers. The 
last official position he held in this 
county was deputy commissioner of 
jurors, to which he was appointed in 
October, 1899, and in which he rend- 
ered very efficient and courteous serv- 
ice, until ill health obliged him to re- 
sign. 

Joseph Hudson was born at Com- 
mac, Suffolk County, L. I., Feb. 20, 
1837, the third child and second son 
of Obadiah and Sarah A. fCraft) Hud- 
son. He was educated in the schools 
of New York city, to which his parents 
had removed. In 1851 he entered the 
employ of the Hudson River Railroad 
Company, and when that corporation 
was merged with the New York Cen- 
tral as the N. Y. C. & Hudson River 
Railway, remained in their employ for 
forty-seven years. It is not generally 
known but it is a fact that, while he 
was postmaster, he also was the resi- 
dent agent of the company at this 
place. 

Mr. Hudson has been a member of 
St. Paul's M. E. Church for several 
years. February 16, 1858, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Caroline M. Ward. They 
have one daughter, Miss Emma I. Hud- 
son. 

President Garfield died at Elberon, 
Sept. 19, 1881, and Vice-President 
Chester A. Arthur, succeeded to that 
great office. For some time trouble 
had been brewing between the late 
president and the senior senator from 
New York, Roscoe Conkling. This dis- 
turbance arose over matters in con- 
nection with some political appoint- 
ments of this state, in which Conkling 
maintained that General Garfield had 
broken faith with him. Owing to the 
friendship existing between Presi- 
dent Arthur and Senator Conkling, 
it became exceedingly difficult for 
Mr. Arthur to steer an impartial 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



13 



course through the troubled political 
waters. The feeling which prevailed 
in the quarrel with the high function- 
aries soon spread over the state, and 
the feud ended most disastrously to 
the G. O. P. 

The late Hon. D. Wiley Travis, in 
the struggle which developed for the 
appointment of a successor to Mr. 
Hudson, espoused the cause of Editor 
Alexander D. Dunbar, then the pro- 
prietor and publisher of the "Peeks- 
kill Messenger." A very animated 
contest was put forth, but Dr. Dunbar 
captured the prize. His friend, Wm. 
J. Haight, was appointed deputy, and 
David W., was jubilant. Though there 
was much ill feeling engendered over 
these appointments, in justice to Dr. 
Dunbar it must be said that he con- 
ducted the office ably and well, treated 
everyone courteously, and ignored 
such a thing as any spite or ill feel- 
ing to those who had opposed his ap- 
pointment. After the close of his term 
he resumed the practice of his profes 
sion of teaching. He accepted the po- 
sition of superintendent of Oakside 
school. Politics with him is now a 
secondary consideration. At the earn- 
est solicitation of personal and polit- 
ical friends, however, he consented to 
run for water commissioner, a posi- 
tion to which he was elected by a 
handsome majority. He subsequently 
was made president of the Board of 
Water Commissioners, in which sta- 
tion he rendered excellent service. 

Dr. Dnubar was born in Boston, 
Mass., March 21, 1846, was appointed 
postmaster March 29, 1882. 

When he accepted the superintend- 
ency of Oakside school he disposed of 
his newspaper and devoted his time 
to the interests of the school, which, 
under his efficient, careful, conscien- 
tious, up-to-date management, has ad- 
vanced to a high place in the educa- 
tional institutions of the state. 

Postmaster Dunbar was succeeded 
on June 7, 1886, by Nelson G. Foshay, 
who for the previous fifteen years had 
been the senior editor, proprietor and 
publisher of the Highland Democrat. 



This paper from a second rate sheet, 
had become the leading Democratic 
journal in the County of Westchester. 
(A position which it holds to-day). 

Mr. Foshay, through his editorial 
career, had become intimately, profes- 
sionally acquainted with the late "Dan 
Lamont," who became president Cleve- 
land's private secretary. Lamont gave 
his friend some timely hints as to the 
best method of procedure, in making 
his application, and how best to meet 
Mr. Cleveland's ideas, as to the char- 
acter of the endorsements upon it. 
Thus warned. Nelson G. went quietly 
to work and soon secured the signa- 
ture of almost every business man of 
the town, without regard to politics, 
with letters recommending the ap- 
pointment. 

The application and letters were 
duly forwarded to the president for 
examination. 

The late Eugene B. Travis and 
Isaac T. Montross followed a few days 
later and called upon Mr. Cleveland 
at the White House and personally 
recommended Mr. Foshay. 

It is conjectured that Mr. Montross 
put in a good word for his friend 
Travis, who had made several cam- 
paign speeches in Mr. Cleveland's 
favor, in both the gubernatorial and 
presidential camps. It was a great 
disappointment to Eugene B. that the 
president did not act upon his case 
favorably. The former considered 
that the great man possessed a short 
memory for past favors. 

The Democrats had been for twenty- 
one years without the benign influence 
of a local postmaster of their own po- 
litical leanings. 

A celebration of the advent of Nel- 
son G. into the official chair was hast- 
ily arranged. The Peekskill Cornet 
Band was engaged for the occasion. 
It was a balmy June evening, when 
the cavalcade, headed by that prince 
of leaders, Thos. Flockton, marched 
up Union avenue to the Foshay cot- 
tage, took possession of the lawn, and 
the "band began to play." 

The Hon. Owen Tristam Coffin, Sur- 



136 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



rogate, was the spokesman of the oc- 
casion. The learned gentleman felic- 
itated the new postmaster on his ap- 
pointment, and also the Democratic 
party upon having so worthy a repre- 
sentative as had been chosen for them 
by their representative in the White 
House. 

Mr. Foshay made a very modest but 
apt reply, made some promises as to 
the conduct of the office during his 
administration, which promises he re- 
deemed in every particular. 

It was near the close of Foshay "s 
term the free delivery was introduced. 
The first carriers were Wm. C. Hoff- 
man, J. Arthur Wessells, Edward Cov- 
ert, Elmer Terbush and Fred Mont- 
ross and G. T. Taylor. Mr. Foshay ap- 
pointed the late W. Everett Borden as- 
sistant postmaster. Some friction 
came about later, and Borden resign- 
ed. Then Wm. H. Clinton, Sr., took 
Mr. Borden's place. 

Mr. Foshay was for a term of three 
years one of the coroners of this 
county. It was during his occupancy 
of this berth that the Magenta disaster 
occurred. The Magenta at that time 
was plying between Haverstraw and 
New York as a passenger steamer. 
Near Ossining the steam boiler ex- 
ploded, with disastrous results. Sev- 
eral persons were killed and wounded 
by the accident and the vessel was 
almost completely wrecked. 

Mr. Foshay, complimented by the 
press of the county on the thorough- 
ness with which he carried on the in- 
vestigation into the causes and results 
of the accident, and upon whom the 
responsibility should rest. 

Nelson Gray Foshay was born in 
the town of Carmel, Putnam County/, 
N. Y., July 16, 1850, the son of John 
and Susan (Russell) Foshay. After 
attending the public schools of the 
neighborhood until he reached his 
fifteenth year, he entered the printing 
office of the late James B. Little, the 
publisher of the Carmel Courier. 
Here, under the tutelage of Alexander 
Hudson, as good an all round printer 
as ever handled a composing "stick," 



he thoroughly mastered the business. 
Jan. 1, 1871, associated with his 
brother, John Thomas Foshay, pur- 
chased the Highland Democrat, pay- 
ing a good round sum for the good 
will and the antiquated plant. These 
enterprising young men by industry, 
tact and persevefence, soon built up 
a prosperous business. 

John Thomas died a short time after 
N. G. retired from the postoffice. The 
latter then became sole proprietor and 
publisher until his death, which came 
suddenly June 5, 1901. 

Mr. Foshay married Amanda, the 
only daughter of the late John D. 
Wessells, who did not long survive 
him. They had two sons. Dr. J. Rus- 
sell, and N. Douglas Foshay. 

President Cleveland was renominat- 
ed by the National Democratic Con- 
vention in 1888, while General Ben- 
jamin Harrison was nominated by the 
Republicans, and was elected the fol- 
lowing November and inaugurated 
President March 4, 1889. 

John Smith, Jr., who had been in 
training for the position for some 
time, received his party's indorsement 
for the position of postmaster. He 
was appointed by General Harrison 
June 2, 1890. Wm. H. Clinton, Sr.. 
who had served under Mr. Foshay, 
was continued as assistant by Mr. 
Smith. This appointment subjected 
Mr. Smith to some severe and unjust 
criticism. The appointment was made 
at the request of a gentleman, whom 
it would not have been politic to deny. 

The free delivery system was put 
in full operation during Mr. Smith's 
administration. There were some 
forebodings on the part of the mer- 
chants, that this innovation might be 
detrimental to business, but this feel- 
ing soon wore off. Business kept go- 
ing on right along, and no one had 
to make an assignment on account of 
the "free delivery." 

John Smith, Jr., was born at North 
Salem, this county, the son of John 
and Lydia Ann (Quick) Smith. At an 
early age he removed with his parents 
to this village, where he attended pub- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



n: 



lie school in District No. 8, finishing 
his education at the Peekskill Military 
Academy under the late Albert Wells. 

In the summer of 1862 we find him 
as assistant to his father, in the lat- 
ter 's factory on Division street. The 
Peninsular Campaign and the great 
Seven Days' battle had resulted in a 
change of base to Harrison's Landing. 
Thousands of lives had been sacrificed 
and there went forth a loud call for 
volunteers. Absalom A. Crookston, 
who returned from the front, wound- 
ed, and an exchanged prisoner- Geo. 
W. Smith, leader of the old Peekskill 
Cornet Band," and Richard Montgom- 
ery Gilleo, a Mexican war veteran, 
were authorized to raise and recruit 
a company for the Anthony Wayne 
Guards, that later became the 135th 
Regt., N. Y. Vol. Infantry. Crookston 
was made captain, Geo. W. Smith first 
lieutenant, and Gilleo second lieuten- 
ant. 

In this embryo organization on Aug. 
5, 1862, John Smith was enrolled as 
a private, and on Sept. 2, 1862, he was 
mustered in as corporal of Company 
A, the youngest non-commissioned of- 
ficer in the regiment, for young Smith 
lacked four months and twelve days 
of being 17 years of age. On Oct. 6, 
1862, the designation of the regiment 
was changed to the Sixth Artillery. 
This regiment went to the front Sept. 
5, 1862, and for a short time was quar- 
tered in the vicinity of Baltimore, Md. 
It served in various capacities and 
took part in the following engage- 
ments: Manassas Gap, Va., July 23, 
1863; Mine Run campaign from Nov. 
26 to Dec. 2, 1863; Wilderness, Va., 
May 5-7, 1864; Spottsylvania, C. H., 
May 8-11; Salient, May 12; Harris 
House. May 19-21; North Anna, May 
22-26; Totopotomoy, May 27-31; Cold 
Harbor, June 1-12; assault on Peters- 
burg, June 15 to 19, to July 31; Cedar 
Creek, October 19; Bermuda Hundred, 
Dec. 2, all in 1864. Then in the 
trenches until the final assault on 
Petersburg. April 2, 1865. For a time 
the Sixth was on provost duty in the 
city of Petersburg. 



During its term of service the Sixth 
lost by death, killed in action, one of- 
ficer and 62 enlisted men; of wounds 
received in action, five officers and 68 
enlisted men; of disease and other 
causes, six officers and 278 enlisted 
men. Total, 12 officers and 408 enlist- 
ed men, an aggregate of 420, of w^hom 
57 enlisted men died in the hands of 
the enemy. In addition, nine officers 
and 344 men were wounded, and re- 
covered therefrom. Our gallant young 
townsman was promoted to sergeant 
June 1, 1863, and was promoted to 
first or orderly sergeant Feb. 11, 1865. 
He was commissioned lieutenant Feb. 
28, 1865, with rank from Feb. 14, 1865. 
He won his shoulder straps for con- 
spicuous gallantry at the battle of 
Cedar Creek. Oct. 19, 1864. Lieuten- 
ant Smith was mustered out of serv- 
ice at Washington, D. C, Aug. 24, 1865. 

On returning to civil life he took 
up the duties of the average citizen, 
and for some years was associated 
with his father in the slate, felt and 
asphalt roofing business, and soon 
branched out into a general contract- 
ing business. After the establishment 
of the waterworks and the demand 
for additional service became urgent, 
Mr. Smith prepared for the emer- 
gency. Since 1876 he has laid in ex- 
tensions, nearly, or quite fifty miles 
of water pipes, made up of four, eight, 
twelve and sixteen inch. He also had 
the contract for the water distributing 
plant of the Fleischmann Company 
at Charles Point, and many other op- 
erations of more or less note. 

Mr. Smith was for nine years a 
member of the Board of Education of 
Union Free School District No. 7, and 
of which he was president for three 
years, succeeding to the latter position 
after the demise of the late General 
James W. Husted. 

The past year (1911) Contractor 
Smith extended the 12-inch water 
mains on Washington street from 
Shady Lake Park to Sherman avenue, 
then running a line of 6-inch pipe 
along Sherman avenue, almost due 
west to the Post road, thence north- 



138 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



erl: along the Post road about four 
hundred feet, thence westerly across 
the New York Central tracks several 
hundred feet, and connecting with the 
Fleischmann Company's water system 
at the vinegar plant. He also ran a 
line of 6-inch water pipes, beginning 
at a point on the high pressure sys- 
tem at Howard street and Westches- 
ter avenue, thence easterly to Husted 
avenue, then going southerly along 
Husted avenue to Main street, thence 
easterly along Main street with a 4- 
inch line to opposite the residence of 
Trustee Wm. H. Frame. 

Mr. Smith ever since the establish- 
ment of the State Camp of Instruction 
at Roa Hook, has been employed by 
the state authorities in keeping the 
grounds in repair. He is also invari- 
ably called upon in the transfer of 
baggage to and from the camp, on the 
arrival and departure of the several 
detachments during the season. He 
has just completed the filling of the 
ice houses with blocks of the purest 
crystal, cut from Wallace Pond, and 
brought to camp for the comfort of 
the citizen soldiers during their tours 
of duty the coming summer. 

Mr. Smith is a charter member of 
Abraham Vosburg No. 95, G. A. R., of 
Peekskill, and at its organization, July 
25, 1879, was elected its first senior 
vice commander. He succeeded the 
late Col. Geo. W. Robertson as com- 
mander, and on retiring from that 
honorable office was presented with a 
gold enameled Past Commander's 
badge by his comrades in appreciation 
of his services. 

He is a past president of the Sixth 
Heavy Artillery Association, and was 
in that position when the organization 
held its 21st annual reunion in that 
village last Labor Day. It was also 
President Smith's good fortune to oc- 
cupy the same position the previous 
year (1910), when the citizens of Cold 
Spring, Putnam County, turned out 
en masse to honor the survivors, who 
had served during war times under 
two of that historic village's distin- 
guished men — the late Gen. G. K. War- 



ren and Col. Wm. H. Monies, and also 
under another son of Putnam County, 
Col. Stephen Baker. 

Mr. Smith on Jan. 12, 1870, married 
Miss Mary Henry Tate, eldest daugh- 
ter of the late David Tate, a retired 
brick manufacturer of Verplanck's 
Point. After a brief honeymoon the 
bride and groom began housekeeping 
in their new home on Cortlandt street, 
where they lived but a few years, ex- 
changing the former for their present 
home. No. 555 South street. The lat- 
ter is one of the handsomest sites in 
the village, commanding an extended 
view of the river and mountain scen- 
ery. Two children, both boys, were 
born to them, Fred Allen Smith, of 
Peekskill, ahd Dr. J. Archibald Smith, 
of Los Angeles, Cal., worthy sons of 
a worthy sire. 

The administration of General Ben- 
jamin Harrison came to an end 
March 4, 1893, at noon. He was de- 
feated for re-election by his former 
opponent, Grover Cleveland, who se- 
cured 277 electoral votes to 145 for 
Benjamin Harrison. In 1888 the elec- 
toral votes for Harrison were 233, 
while Cleveland obtained but 168. By 
the census of 1890 showing an increase 
of population, and the admisison of 
six new states into the Union, there 
had been an addition to the "electoi'al 
college" of 43 votes, making 444 in 
all. Gen. James B. Weaver, the Peo- 
ples' (Populist) candidate, received 22. 
His popular vote reached the enor- 
mous total of 1,041,028. This sum 
being the high water mark, for any 
third party presidential candidate to 
receive at any such election so far. 
The nearest approach to these figures 
were those given for Millard Fillmore, 
in 1856, as the presidential candidate 
for the "American" party (Know Noth- 
ing), who received 874,524. Fillmore 
obtained, however, but 8 electoral 
votes. In 1860 the candidate of the 
Republican party, Abraham Lincoln, 
received a popular vote of 1,866,452, 
and of electoral votes, 180. John C. 
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, was the 
candidate of the regular wing of the 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



139 



Democratic party. His popular vote 
was 847,534, yet lie received 72 elec- 
toral votes. Stephen A. Douglas, of 
Illinois (as was Mr. Lincoln) received 
a popular vote of 1,375,157, only 491,- 
295 less than Mr. Lincoln, and 527,623 
votes more than Breckenridge, while 
Douglas in the "electoral college" got 
but 39 votes. 

Mr. Cleveland was averse to making 
any changes in the postoffice depart- 
ment during the term for which the 
incumbent was originally appointed, 
so no attempt was Inade to secure 
Postmaster Smith's removal. 

As soon, and probably before, a 
vacancy was in prospect, pipe laying 
for the prize in view was begun. The 
Hon. Wm. Ryan, of Portchester, was 
then the Congressman from this dis- 
trict. By the rules of the game, he 
was the dispenser of patronage within 
his baliwick. The late Wm. H. Clin- 
ton, who had been deputy postmaster 
under Messrs. Foshay and Smith, be- 
gan an aggressive campaign, and 
urged that by the civil service rules 
then supposed to be held in high 
esteem by the President, and by vir- 
tue of his experience and fitness, and 
also by reason of his yeoman service 
for his party for the past several 
years, he should be appointed. In 
fact, Mr. Ryan personally informed 
the writer that the applicant rather 
hurt his case by his urgency. 

In the meantime Wm. R. Thorne, 
who had defeated some of the most 
popular Republicans in the race for 
overseer of the poor, for which impor- 
tant town office he ran and was elect- 
ed in March, 1886. He was returned 
in 1887 and 1888. In the spring of 
1889 he ran for supervisor against 
the late Cyrus Travis, whom he de- 
feated. He also ran for the same of- 
fice, defeating such popular Repub- 
licans as Col. Geo. W. Robertson, Ed- 
ward G. Halsey, Geo. A. Bagley and 
James H. Haight. Mr. Thorne also 
served one term as village treasurer. 
In these various positions Mr. Thorne 
proved himself to be an earnest, 
faithful and painstaking official. This • 



gave him a prestige as a candidate for 
the important position of postmaster in 
a place so noted as Peekskill as a 
business center. IVIr. Thorne eventually 
secured the prize and was duly com- 
missioned and soon thereafter entered 
upon the duties of his office, Oct. 1, 
1894. One of his first acts was to ap- 
point his friend, Wm. A. Baker, his 
deputy. This was an ideal appoint- 
ment and was endorsed by almost 
everyone. Like his chief, Mr. Baker 
hails from Greene County, which pro- 
duces good stock, both of Democratic 
and Republican brands, of party work- 
ers. 

William Roe Thorne was born in the 
town of Greenville, Greene County, N. 
Y., July 9, 1845, the son of George and 
Caroline (Roe) Thorne. In his child- 
hood he attended the public schools 
of his native village, as also the 
Greenville Academy, which was char- 
tered by the state. In his young man- 
hood he graduated from the Hudson 
River Collegiate Institute at Claver- 
ack, Columbia County, of which the 
late Rev. Alonzo Flack was for so 
many years principal. 

In 1871 he was married to Miss 
Charlotte Ardell Wooster, of his na- 
tive place. Three children were born 
to them, Minnie (Mrs. Guy Loring 
Smith), of New York city; Harold, of 
Peekskill; their eldest son, Charles, 
died suddenly while in the employ of 
the United States as civil engineer on 
the great Isthmian Canal, which is 
now so fast nearing completion. 

Mr. Thorne and family came to 
Peekskill in 1873, having acquired an 
interest in the Propeller Magnet, 
which plied as a freight boat between 
this village and New York, and of 
which Mr. Thorne was captain. In 
1874 he disposed of his interest in the 
freighting business and purchased the 
business on the upper dock, conducted 
by the late Captain Albert S. Wash- 
burn. He was eventually led into 
politics and served on two commis- 
sions in connection with condemnation 
proceedings, in the acquisition for the 
new Croton aqueduct. He has also 



HO 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



been called upon as an expert witness 
many times while the great undertak- 
ing last mentioned was being project- 
ed. Probably he has been called upon 
for like services upon the greater pro- 
ject now in progress, nearer by. 

Postmaster Thorne relinquished his 
post to one for whom he had great re- 
spect as a townsman, neighbor and 
friend, though opponents in politics. 

After John Smith, Jr., had retired 
from the field to make way for Mr. 
Foshay, John Mabie, 2nd, who had 
proven himself to be a politician of 
no mean order, ' began to keep a 
weather eye upon the situation as it 
developed from time to time. General 
James W. Husted had kept a taut rein 
on the "band wagon," and although 
David and John were apparently as 
friendly as "David and Jonathan" of 
old, yet each kept close tab on the 
other for any new developments that 
might occur. Finally, when it came 
time for the appointment to be made, 
there was a conference held between 
the rival candidates and their friends 
whereby a compromise was arranged 
satisfactory to both candidates. David 
became postmaster and John was ap- 
pointed deputy. This arrangement 
was faithfully carried out, and the 
parties thereto worked in harmony 
until the death of the principal. 

David G. Montross received his ap- 
pointment Feb. 16, 1899, and assumed 
the office on March 1, following. The 
position carried with it the local lead- 
ership of matters political in the town 
and village. Postmaster Montross 
was a good manager and made few 
mistakes in local partisan leadership. 

David Griffin Montross was born at 
Sing Sing (now Ossining), N. Y., Sept. 
14, 1845, the son of Andrew Jackson 
and Harriet (Tuttle) Montross. He 
come to Peekskill with his parents 
when a mere lad, and attended the 
old Howard Street public school and 
the Peekskill Military Academy. Aug. 
26, 1862, he enlisted, with several 
young men of about his own age, in 
Company F, Second New York Cav- 
alry, more familiarly known to our 



citizens as the "Harris Light." He 
was promoted to the rank of ser- 
geant for good conduct on the field, 
and by his attention to duty and cool- 
ness under fire, won the confidence 
and esteem of his superior officers as 
well as the respect and admiration of 
his enlisted comrades. The Harris 
Light was no silk stocking regiment. 
It saw plenty of exciting and hazard- 
ous work during its almost four 
years' of service. Inscribed upon its 
guidons are the names of scores of 
battles. Over one hundred and eighty 
skirmishes, battles and minor en- 
gagements are upon its escutcheon, 
and it is not outclassed by any cavalry 
regiment in the service. Dave was al- 
ways ready for duty; there was no 
shirking in his make-up. When vol- 
unteers were called for he was one 
of the first to step to the front, ready 
for action. He was not rash, nor 
impetuous by any means, but cool and 
determined in the performance of any 
duty he was called upon to perform. 
He was one of that heroic band that, 
under the gallant Col. Ulric Dahl- 
gren, pierced the lines of the forti- 
fications of Richmond and carried con- 
sternation into the hearts of the citi- 
zens of that historic town. In this 
adventure the dashing Dahlgren lost 
his life. He had, prior to this daring 
deed, lost a leg in the service of his 
country, and as he rode he had to be 
strapped to the saddle in order to keep 
his seat. The "boys," it must be 
noted, met with a warm reception af- 
ter their presence was discovered and 
many a brave rider bit the dust as a 
forfeit for his temerity. Our hero 
had the good fortune to escape un- 
hurt. Dave was also in another raid, 
when Gen. James Grant Wilson rode 
around Petersburg and had a very 
close call in getting into the Union 
lines. He was also with Sheridan in 
the final campaign, which ended in 
the "round-up" of Lee at Appomatux, 
on the 9th day of April, 1865. Less 
than two months afterwards, on June 
5, 1865, at Alexandria, Va., he was 
honorably discharged from the serv- 
ice. Among the more important en- 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



141 



gagements the Second N. Y. were en- 
gaged in were Culpeper, Aug. 23, 1862; 
Beverly Ford, Va., June 9; Aldie, 
June 17; Liberty Mills, Va., Sept. 21- 
22; Brandy Station, Feb. 11-12; Buck- 
land Mills, Oct. 19, 1863; Defences of 
Richmond, March 1-2; Old Church, 
March 2; New Kent C. H., March 3; 
Stevensville, March 3; Wilderness, 
May 5-7; Nottoway C. H., June 23; 
Nineveh, Nov. 12; Mount Jackson, Nov. 
22; Lacey Springs, Dec. 20 and 21, all 
in 1864, and in Virginia. Five Forks, 
April 1; Deep Creek, April 3; Ap- 
pomatux, April 8-9, 1865. 

During its service the regiment lost 
by death, killed in action, 7 officers, 
67 enlisted men; died of wounds re- 
ceived in action, 2 officers and 47 en- 
listed men; died of diseases and other 
causes, 2 officers and 246 enlisted men. 
Total, 11 officers, and 360 enlisted 
men, of whom 1 officer and 106 enlist- 
ed men died in the hands of the enemy. 

Postmaster Montross during his in- 
cumbency, increased the efficiency of 
the office in a marked degree. In this 
direction he had the co-operation of 
the postal authorities, but not in such 
measure as the capabilities of the vil- 
lage demanded. Postmaster General 
Hitchcock, in his mania for economy, 
has somewhat retarded and contracted 
the functions of the post office de- 
partment, as a public convenience for 
the good of all the people, and at the 
smallest possible cost. Before reach- 
ing the honorable amd trustworthy 
position of postmaster of this thriv- 
ing village, he had been chosen a 
trustee of this corporation for several 
successive terms. He had also been 
elected a receiver of taxes for the 
town of cortlandt for three terms. As 
a trustee he rendered most efficient 
service as chairman or member of the 
highway committee. No member of 
the Board of Trustees in reecnt years 
has taken so deep an interest, nor 
given so much personal attention and 
oversight in maintaining the streets 
in fine condition as has Mr. Montross. 
When receiver of taxes he was most 
courteous and obliging, and was most 



successful in making a large return 
of taxes collected within the allotted 
time, and not subject to penalty. The 
late postmaster was somewhat of a 
joiner. During the pastorate of the 
late Rev. J. P. Hermance he was on 
Feb. 19, 1862, admitted to member- 
ship in the First M. E. Church, and 
retained his connection therewith un- 
til his death. He became a member 
of Cortlandt Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., 
in 1869. He was Degree Master of 
this lodge for several years. He was 
also a Knight of Pythias, having en- 
tered Harmony Lodge No. 138, in 1884. 
He was also a comrade of Abraham 
Vosburgh Post No. 95, G. A. R. As a 
fireman he cast his lot with Washing- 
ton Engine Company No. 2. Some 
twenty years ago he, with other kind- 
red spirits, organized the "Harris 
Light Veteran Cavalry Association," 
composed of surviving members of 
that famous regiment, the Second New 
York Veteran Cavalry. He was presi- 
dent for one term, and for many years 
its faithful and efficient secretary. All 
the minutes that he could spare from 
public and private business, were de- 
voted in furthering the welfare of 
the association in every way. For the 
past few years Peekskill has been 
its meeting place, and the Eagle Hotel 
has been its headquarters. The beau- 
tiful shores of Lake Mohegan have 
shared with the time honored hostelry 
the events of the day. The summer 
residents have joined in making the 
meeting at the lake pleasant and joy- 
ous occasions to the war-worn heroes. 
There are a large number of honor- 
ary members on the roll. Some of 
them of historic fame. Among the lat- 
ter is that of Hon. Frederick Wm. 
Seward, formerly assistant Secretary 
of State, under his distinguished fa- 
ther, and who with the elder Seward 
had a most narrow escape from death 
at the hands of an assassin shortly af- 
ter the dastardly and fatal attack upon 
President Lincoln by J. Wilkes Booth. 
For about a year prior to his death 
Mr. Montross was in declining health, 
but he fought off the recurrent at- 



142 



mOM 1609 TO 1870. 



tacks with the same heroic fortitude 
that marlied his army service. He 
looked forward hopefully to the fu- 
ture and awaited the end with calm- 
ness and resignation. 

For a few years after his return 
to civil life, associated with his 
brother, Wm. V., he conducted a bak- 
ery business, but this not proving con- 
genial, they established a livery busi- 
ness on Railroad avenue, also an 
agency for the sale of horses and 
carriages. The firm enjoyed an excel- 
lent reputation for fair and honest 
dealing. 

Sept. 14, 1871, Mr. Montross was 
united in holy wedlock to Miss Caro- 
line H. Yocom. This interesting event 
occurred at the Baptist Church, York- 
town, the bride's father, the late Rev. 
E. S. Yocom, officiating. Their mar- 
ried life was an eminently happy one. 
For some years Mrs. Montross suf- 
fered from a rheumatic affection, 
which made her one of that large body 
of "shut-ins" that suffer but never 
complain. She was naturally of a 
cheerful and buoyant disposition, 
traits that never deserted her, and 
which helped her to bear with pati- 
ence the burden laid upon her. 

Her husband was unfailingly kind 
and attentive to her every need, and 
her son and daughter were glad on 
every occasion to minister to her need 
and anticipate any service. 

Two children were the fruit of this 
union, Franklin Montross, clerk of 
the Supreme Court of this county, and 
Alice, Mrs. Charles Miller, both resi- 
dents of Peekskill. 

In the early hours of the morning, 
.July 1, 1911, the brave spirit of David 
G. Montross passed away. It was not 
long before a wave of sadness passed 
over the community, for "David" was 
known to almost every man, woman 
and child in the village. The fun- 
eral services were held at the family 
residence, Monday, July 3, the Rev. 
Morley P. Williams, of the First M. 
E. Church, officiating, assisted by the 
Rev. Arthur Jamieson, of St. Paul's 



M. E. The obsequies were very large- 
ly attended. Nearly all the county, 
town and village officers were present 
on the solemn occasion. 

The following gentlemen acted as 
pall bearers: ex-Postmaster John 
Smith, Jr., ex-Water Commissioner 
Homer Anderson, Deputy Postmaster 
John Mabie, 2d, Captain John I. Storm. 
and two beloved comrades of the 
"Harris Light," Eugene Travis and 
John McKenzie; the following mem- 
bers of the Second New York Cav- 
alry, Capt. A. W. Lowden, President 
Geo. W. White, Col. Mortimer B. Birds- 
eye, of Fayetteville, N. Y., Joseph 
Firth, of Roslyn, L. L, Capt. Theo. F. 
Northrop, and Col. Wm. B. Shaffer, of 
New York city. The remains were 
laid at rest in the family plot at Hill- 
side cemetery. 

Shortly after the death of Post- 
master Montross, his sureties, Messrs. 
Leverett F. Crumb, ex-Coroner John 
L. Silleck, and Capt. John I. Storm, 
took charge of the office and appoint- 
ed Mr. Silleck acting postmaster. The 
latter continued as such until relieved 
by Deputy Postmaster John Mabie, 2d, 
whose appointment was confirmed by 
the Senate on the recommendation of 
President Taft. 

Mr. xMabie assumed the enlarged du- 
ties and responsibilities of the office 
Jan. 4, 1912. 

John L. Silleck was born in New 
York city, Sepl 7, 1857, the youngest 
son of James Wiley and Maria 
(Romer) Silleck. He received an ex- 
cellent education in Grammar School 
No. 30, of that city. Several years 
ago his father purchased what was 
known ■ as the Harrison Chapman 
Farm, in the town of Putnam Valley, 
and now owned and occupied by Theo. 
Austin. After a few years' stay on 
the farm with his father he came to 
Peekskill and purchased the property 
of the late Capt. O. J. Frost corner 
of South street and Union avenue, and 
also the livery business connected, 
until he deemed it wise to exchange 
the horse for the automobile. In the 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



143 



meantime he had an opportunity to 
lease part of his property to good ad- 
vantage to Messrs. Fish & Freinhar, 
of Newburgh, who desired to open a 
branch establishment in this village. 
Most extensive alterations were made 
to the property, and since the removal 
of the auto business to other quarters 
the entire building has been devoted 
to the sole use of lessees. This now 
well known establishment is metro- 
politan in character, and demonstrates 
to a marked degree the business ca- 
pacity and enterprise of this hustling 
and reliable firm. 

Mr. Silleck filled the office of Cor- 
oner, to which he was first elected 
in 1905, for two terms with credit to 
himself and his constituency. 

Mr. Silleck served on the village 
Board of Health for several years. He 
soon after coming here attached him- 
self to the fire department as a mem- 
ber of Cortlandt Hook and Ladder Co. 
No. 1. Later he was chosen foreman 
of this fine body of men. Mr. Silleck 
held the position of first assistant en- 
gineer under Chief Engineer James 
H. Haight. Mr. Silleck early became 
interested in Republican politics and 
served at various times as delegate 
to the town, assembly, county and dis- 
trict conventions. In the fall of 1904 
he was the candidate of his party for 
coroner and was elected thereto by a 
large majority. He was handsomely 
re-elected in November, 1907. Mr. 
Silleck was an excellent official, ex- 
ercising under all conditions tact and 
good judgment in the disposition of 
cases coming before him for examina- 
tion. 

November 24, 1885, Mr. Silleck mar- 
ried Miss Mary, daughter of the late 
John and Priscilla (Wixson) Mead, of 
Putnam Valley. They have three chil- 
dren, two daughters, Myra Belle, and 
Eugenia, and one son, John L., Jr., all 
of Peekskill. The ex-Postmaster is 
not at present engaged in active busi- 
ness. It happens there is no urgent 
need of his hustling to any great ex- 
tent, but he is not likely to forego 
any favorable opportunity to make a 



reasonably safe and profitable invest- 
ment or business adventure that gives 
indications of success. 

Mr. Mabie, the new incumbent, was 
thoroughly conversant with the man- 
agement of affairs, having been effici- 
ently trained in the school of experi- 
ence while serving as deputy under 
his predecessor (Montross) for over 
twelve years. 

Chief Clerk Daniel Reardon, having 
proven himself capable, courteous and 
conversant with his duties, was 
recommended to the department as 
deputy postmaster by Mr. Mabie, was 
appointed accordingly, his promotion 
taking effect Feb. 4, 1912. The va- 
cancies made by the recent changes 
will be filled in due time. 

The handsome residence and spac- 
ious grounds known as "Ingleside," 
having been purchased by the national 
government, the transfer of the post- 
office and its appurtenances will soon 
be made, probably on or before 
April 1. 

Postmaster Mabie will therefore 
have the honor of being the first oc- 
cupant of a government building In 
this village, and presiding over its 
destinies, in all probability for some 
time. Offices are also being fitted up 
in the same building for the use of 
Deputy Collector of Internal Rev- 
enue Geo. H. Jewell. The estab- 
lishment of these two departments in 
the one public building, and in such 
a fine location and upon such a busy 
thoroughfare as South street, will 
luark a new era in the business life 
of our growing, prosperous and beau- 
tiful village, destined soon to become 
another city upon the banks of the 
peerless Hudson. 

The writer makes bold to say, that 
this boon is due to the well directed 
efforts of our honored representative 
in congress, the Hon. John A. Andrus, 
seconded by our former townsman, 
Senator Chauncey M. Depew. The 
honor of its inception by calling the 
attention of the above named gentle- 
men to the desirability of such a pro- 
cedure, and that the time was ripe 



144 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



for its successful issue originated in 
the mind and brain of our enterpris- 
ing and public spirited citizen, Col. 
John S. Baker. These facts are well 
attested, as can be proven by the tes- 
timony of several persons cognizant 
thereof. Another gentleman who co- 
operated with Mr. Baker in presenting 
the matter to Messrs. Andrus and 
Depew, was Mr. Homer Anderson, the 
able and hardworking president of the 
Lincoln Society. 

John Mabie, 2d, was born in Peeks- 
kill Jan. 5, 1848, the son of John and 
Sarah (Hilliker) Mabie. The elder 
Mabie was a former well known car- 
penter and builder in this village and 
was a gentleman of fine character and 
excellent reputation, a master work- 
man, and a man of honor and probity. 
In his boyhood John attended the old 
school house of District No. 7, on 
South street, and which has been 
turned into a tenement, and belongs 
to the Brown estate. His first pre- 
ceptor was a gentleman named Chap- 
man, then came the late Wm. Rich- 
ards, who later assumed the editorial 
chair of the Peekskill Republican, and 
finally the Messenger. Some of Mr. 
Richard's pupils affirm that he could 
apply the birch to a boy's back with 
a master hand. 

The late Col. Abraham Pitcher 
for some years had been urging, ad- 
vocating, arguing the eligibility of 
Drum Hill as a site for a public 
school. His preseverance finally won 
the day, the site was selected and a 
brick building was erected. The suc- 
cessful applicant for the position of 
principal was a party by the name of 
Van Etten. He was a tall, fine look- 
ing gentleman, of athletic frame and 
abundance of muscle. It is said that 
one of the residents of the district, 
named Mead, started for the school 
house one morning before the opening 
session, with the intention of "licking" 
the new teacher, who had been guilty 
of whipping his son, Willie, for some 
infraction of the rules. Mead knocked 
on the door. In a moment or two Van 
Etten appeared on the scene. The 



idea of thrashing such a Hercules as 
greeted him in the person of the new 
teacher, took all the fight out of friend 
Meade, and the latter, making some 
plausible excuse for his early call, 
marched down the hill somewhat 
crestfallen, but glad to escape so 
easily. Notwithstanding Van Etten 
was such a giant, his better half was 
more than a match for him. In a 
little argument at the breakfast table 
one morning this belligerent lady 
shied a coffee pot at her lord's head, 
and had he not proven himself an 
artful dodger, he would have present- 
ed a much damaged front to his pupils 
that day. 

The next principal was Theodosius 
W. Byington. He was a man of small 
stature, slow of speech, and an expert 
in hickory gads, of which he kept a 
goodly supply on hand and with which 
he "tickled" the fancy of any unruly 
boy found evading the rules. Mr. 
Byington was in the main, a good pre- 
ceptor. 

After the expiration of Professor 
Byington's engagement, young Mabie 
thought he would try farming for a 
spell. He obtained an engagement for 
the season with the late David Griffen, 
of Turkey Hill, in the town of York- 
town. The following fall he returned 
to Peekskill and for one week at- 
tended Drum Hill school under Prin- 
cipal Harrington. John was then of- 
fered a clerkship in the store of J. 
R. Denike and Bro., where the Peeks- 
kill National Bank now is. From 
there he entered the employ of Morris 
Dlee, of Cold Spring, who opened a 
dry goods store in the place now oc- 
cupied by P. Emerson Heady, on the 
north side of Central avenue. The 
Union Co-operative Store, afterwards 
occupied this site, when it was man- 
aged by the late Alexander Lamond. 
Through the lax methods of the last 
named, the concern was obliged to go 
into liquidation, and Mr. Mabie was 
appointed receiver, in the interest of 
the' stockholders. The closing out was 
speedily accomplished, the receiver 
having conducted the affairs with skill 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



145 



and judgment. 

Soon after this matter was closed 
up, Mr. Mabie associated with Hollis 
E. Jewell, opened, a shoe store on 
North Division street under the firm 
name of Mabie & Jewell. John M. 
Dyckman bought out Jewell's interest 
and the firm became Mabie & Dyck- 
man. Finally Mabie sold out to Dyck- 
man. John Mabie then, after a short 
rest, went into the shoe business by 
himself in a small shop on South 
street, which is now part of the west 
side of the store now occupied by 
Charles Weller. When Mr. Mabie was 
appointed assistant postmaster he sold 
his business to Albert Posey, now of 
Decatur, Posey & Yellott. 

Postmaster Mabie early in life be- 
gan to take a deep interest in matters 
political. On attaining his majority 
he became an active worker for his 
party. In the eighties he was elected 
village assessor, and served in that 
capacity for twelve years. In 1887 
he was elected town assessor, a posi- 
tion he held for nine years. He was 
secretary of the Republican town 
committee for about fifteen years. He 
had a large personal acquaintance 
with the voters. His friendly contact 
with the taxpayers in the performance 
of his duties as assessor, gave him 
many opportunities to ascertain the 
political leanings of hundreds of per- 
sons throughout the village and town. 
Of course, it goes withcut saying, that 
he was an enthusiastic fireman, and 
trained with Washington Engine Com- 
pany in its halcyon days. 

Mr. Mabie, Nov. 23, 1870, was mar- 
ried to Miss Emma, daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. John B. Christian. They 
have one daughter. Lulu, now the 
wife of Thomas McCoy, junior mem- 
ber of* the firm of Mabie & McCoy, and 
one of our young and enterprising 
merchants that are a credit to the 
town. 

The following is the official list of 
the attaches of the Peekskill post- 
ofPce at the present writing: 

Postmaster, John Mabie, 2d; assist- 
ant postmaster, Daniel D. Reardon: 



clerks, Charles A. Clark, Fred Stil- 
well, J. Arthur Wessells, Cornelius 
Varian, James Torpy. Substitute 
clerk, Oliver Lee Tompkins. Carriers, 
Edward Covert, Samuel B. Halsted, 
Geo. W. Waldron, Wm. L. Sparks, 
Thos. W. Haynes, Chas. H. Taylor, 
Christian Otte, Fred A. Montross and 
Frank J. Kelly. Rural carriers, Geo. 
Griffin and J. E. Burton. Herbert 
Post, substitute carrier. 

On Aug. 14, 1862, authority was giv- 
en Col. Lewis G. Morris to recruit a 
regiment in the counties of Putnam, 
Rockland and Westchester. The work 
e/as undertaken a few days later by 
Col. W. H. Morris, assisted by Lieut. 
Col. J. Howard Kitching, with head- 
quarters at Yonkers. At several 
places in these three counties recruit- 
ing started in vigorously. 

Conspicuous among these was the 
town of Cortlandt. The few active 
spivits were Absalom A. Crookston, 
George W. Smith and Richard Mont- 
gomery Gilleo. These three had seen 
active service, Crookston, with the 
Ninth, Smith in the Fifty-ninth, and 
Gilleo as a veteran of the Mexican 
War. Samuel Bassett also was a 
"hustler," whose popularity secured 
many additions to the ranks of the 
rapidly growing organization. The 
headquarters of the new regiment to 
bo known as the One Hundred and 
Thirty-fifth New York Volunteer In- 
fantry, was established at Yonkers. 
Thither the recruits enlisted at Peeks- 
kill and vicinity repaired. The men 
whose names will appear later were 
attached to Company A under Absa- 
lom A. Crookston, Capt. George W. 
Smith and R. M. Gillio, first and sec- 
ond lieutenants, respectively. Samuel 
Bassett and his party were assigned 
to the future company F and their 
leader was elected first lieutenant. 
The efforts of the recruiting officers 
were crowned with success, so that 
on Sept. 2, 1862, the ten companies 
comprising the regiment were must- 
ered into the United States service 
for the term of three years. 

The following named composed the 



148 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



fiield and staff officers of the newly 
organized One Hundred and Thirty- 
fifth New York Volunteer Infantry. 

Col. William H. Morris, Lieut. Col. 
James Howard Kitching, Major James 
A. Robinson, Adjutant Charles H. 
Leonard, Quartermaster Frederick 
Tompkins, Surgeon Jared D. Wood, 
Asst. Surgeons, Robert Rae and Ryck- 
man D. Bogart, Chaplain Henry W. 
Smuller. Colonel Alorris was promot- 
ed to brigadier general April 2, 1863, 
and on April 11 following, Lieut. Col. 
Kitching became colonel. By the 
army regulations, when the command 
was changed into a heavy artilelry 
regiment on Oct. 6. 1862, It was made 
into three battalions of four com 
panies, each battalion commanded by 
a major. Major Robinson having re- 
signed Sept. 15, '62; he was succeed- 
ed by Capt. Edmund R. Travis, who 
resigned from the 48th N. Y. to accept 
a majority in the 135th, with rank 
from Sept. 15, 1862. Capt. Absalom 
A. Crookston, of Company A, was ap- 
pointed major, with rank from Oct. 
3, '62, and Capt. Ralph E. Prime, of 
the 5th N. Y. Vols. (Duryea's Zouaves), 
was on Jan. 12, 1863, made lieutenant 
colonel to succeed Lieut. Col. Kitch- 
ing. This move on the part of Gov- 
ernor Seymour was not approved by 
the rank and file, so that Colonel 
Prime deemed it wise to tender his 
resignation March 19, 1863. Major 
Travis succeeded him. 

The promotion of Captain Crooks- 
ton, of Company A, created vacancies, 
so that First Lieut. Geo. W. Smith be- 
came captain, second Lieut. Gilleo, 
first lieutenant, and Frederick Tom- 
kins, of Tomkins Cove, became sec- 
ond lieutenant. 

October 6, 1862, the 135th was con- 
verted into an artillery regiment and 
designated the Sixth Regiment, N. Y. 
Heavy Artillery. 

Two additional companies, L and M, 
were recruited and mustered into the 
U. S. service Dec. 4, 1862. 

The original regiment left this state 
Sept. 5, 1862, and served in the rail- 
road division of the 8th corps, middle 
department, from September, 1862; 



Companies L and M joined it at Bal- 
timore, Md., in December, 1862. The 
regiment served at Harpers Ferry, 
W. Va., defenses of the upper Po- 
tomac, from January, 1863. In the 
Second Brigade, first division, 8th 
corps, from March 27, 1863. In the 
First Brigade, 1st division, 8th corps, 
from June, 1863; in the First Brigade, 
3d division, 3d corps, A. P., from 
July 10, 1863, with the reserve artil- 
lery, A. P. From April, 1864, in the 
Heavy Artillery Brigade, 5th corps, 
from May 13, 1864; in the 3d Division, 
5th corps, from May 30, 1864, in the 
Third Brigade, 2d division, 5th corps, 
from June 2, 1864, in the First Bri- 
gade, Harden's division, 22d corps, 
from July, 1864, in the First Brigade, 
Kitching's Provisional Division Army 
of the Shenandoah. In the Second 
Brigade, Ferrero's Division, Army of 
the James, from December, 1864. It 
served as heavy artillery and infantry. 

To make up for the loss of men 
from the casualities of battle, and 
the ravages of disease. Company M 
was consolidated into Company A, 
Jan. 26, 1864, and a new company 
formed of the men recruited for the 
Fourteenth N. Y. Vol. Artillery by M. 
R. Pierce, were transferred to the 
Sixth, Jan. 13, 1864. On Feb. 2, fol- 
lowing, the surplus men of the Four- 
teenth and Sixteenth Regiments, N. 
Y. Vol. Artillery, about 400 in num- 
ber, were also transferred to this 
regiment. 

June 28, 1865, the men whose term 
would expire Oct. 1, 1865, were, under 
command of Col. Geo. C. Kibbe, mus- 
tered out at Petersbury, Va. ; those 
remaining were organized into a bat- 
talion of four companies. A, B, C and 
D, and there were added to them, 
July 19, 1865, the men not discharg- 
ed at the muster out of their regi- 
ments, of the 10th N. Y. Vol. Artil- 
lery, forming companies E, F and G, 
and of the 13th N. Y. Vol. Artillery, 
forming Companies H, I, K, L and M, 
thus reorganizing the regiment. The 
Sixth took part in the following en- 
gagements during 1863: 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



147 



Manassas Gap, Va., July 23; Mine 
Run Campaign, Nov. 26 to Dec. 2. In 

1864, Wilderness, May 5 to 7; 
Spottsylvania, C. H., May 8; Salient, 
12th; Harris House, 18 to 21; North 
Anna, 22 to 26; Totopotomoy, 27 to 
31; Cold Harbor, June 1 to 12. As- 
sault on Petersburg June 15 to July 
30; Celar Creek, Aug. 19; Bermuda 
Hundred in trenches, December. In 

1865, April 2, Fall of Petersburg. In 
these several affairs and engagements 
the regiments suffered a loss of one 
officer and 62 enlisted men killed in 
action; died of wounds received in 
action, five officers and 68 enlisted 
men. Of those wounded and recover- 
ed therefrom, nine officers and 344 
enlisted men; missing, 79 enlisted 
men, making total casulties, 568. In 
addition to the above enumeration 
there died from disease and other 
causes, six officers and 278 enlisted 
men, making an aggregate loss of 
852. 

The 135th, as it was first known, 
was assigned to the defences of Bal- 
timore, Md., and was quartered near 
Fort McHenry. Here it was thor- 
oughly drilled in the manual of arms, 
and also in the handling of heavy 
ordinance. As before stated, Oct. 6, 
the order was issued changing its 
name and organization to that of 
Sixth N. Y. Heavy Artillery. The lo- 
cation of the new organization was 
changed to Maryland Heights, near 
Harper's Ferry. The site of its camp 
was a decidedly unhealthy one, and' 
typhoid fever became epidemic. Many 
died from its effects. As soon as po5- 
sible, under the circumstances, the lo- 
cation of the camp was changed to 
a more suitable and healthy one. 

The duty of the Sixth while serving 
in that locality was principally as a 
corps of observation to protect the 
Baltimore and Ohio railroad and the 
Chesapeake and Ohio canal. In the 
movements of the Army of the Po- 
tomac prior to the Gettysburg cam- 
paign, it was to guard baggage and 
ammunition trains, a very arduous 
and responsible duty. 



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Pi Pi &l Pi Ph Pi P 
03 03 O 03 03 03 03 

CO 03 m CC CO 72 cc 



<N1 Cv) <N M <M C^i (M ci M <^ 

cococo COCOCOCOCOCO^ 

000000 cooooooooooooo 



p p p 

03 03 03 

m m w 



C^ (M Csl C^ W (M W 



p p p p p p< p 

03 03 03 03 03 03 03 

CO cc CO CO m CO CO 



(N <M C<I 

CO CO CO 

ca <x <X) 



P P P 

03 03 03 

02 CO CO 



TJ <M CM S^ IM <M 

^O CO CO CO to CO 
•^O 00 00 00 00 00 



5? <M c<r c<r e^ <M 



3 P p p P p - 

rt 03 03 03 03 03 

^ rn m m a} w 






S d a J= ffi 5 

o Q M H, 1-5 



W .r 



^ "^ . fl 3 ill 

03' 03 5 ~ -^ -^ 

o o ^ X ^^ X 

^ >. O Pl G fl 

o o t^ o o o 



13 ^•• 



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% 9 
' 3 



0-1 ^ 



O 3 



(33 _ 

1=H ^ 



^ o 



^ " ffi 



r 03 W 

a ^ .2 

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'=' -c: Q ^ 



M a 



^ 03 . 

^ S ^ ^ 
rt 03 .:C o 



fl 03 
O J3 



c p 

a a 



O Q Q Q Q D Q 



a 

r rt 

si 



.^ 


^ 


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> 

03 


<J 


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1 1 


^ 


^ 




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03 




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n=^ > ^ a 

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rt r^ .^ 't^ "S t* 

O O O O W K 



150 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



>> 


,Q 




u 


d 


<D 


c3 


OJ 



"^ a 



s 



CO „• CO 

S S oo 

°° s '-I 

■-I - 

CO 



^ CO 



=3 cS . 






q; Qj 0^ 

xn isi m 

<D CP OJ 

Q Q Q 



•rt to 





l-i 


cd 'C 






73 


O CO 3 


CD 


CC CO o 


' — ■ 



oS^w 



et-^ 




Pi 






3 


Tl 




l-J 


q^ 






hfi 




■73 


^ 




01 


rt 




XJ 


^ 




S3 


O 


CO 


P 


Ol 


CO 


o 


p 


GO 
1—1 


^ 



o 


Q o 


-a 


"^H 


a> 


M) 


M ^ 


03 


rt W 


^ . 


•« ^ 


O lO 


" b 


CC CO 


CO C 


5S 





rt ^ 



W > Q 



CO CO 
00 00 






lO 


lO 


lO 


LO 


lO 


•«:t< 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


oo 


00 


oo 


oo 


00 


OO 


tH 


tH 


tH 


1— 1 


i-l 


tH 


^ 


^ 


», 


^ 


^ 




OC) 


or) 




oo 


00 




c^ 


c^^ 


M 


(M 


N 




QJ 


<D 


<u 


cu 


<o 


> 


c 


fl 


fl 


fl 


C 


o 






;3 


3 


P 


X 


>-^ 


1-5 


•-5 


»-5 


>-3 





CO CD 
OO 00 



^ 1-5 



IB 


iM 


C^l 


c^ 


C^l 


C<] 


CI 


<M 


IM 


IM 


'>-i 


CO 
CO 

i-i 


M 


c^ 


LO 


Oi 


c^i 


c<\ 


C-l 


C^l 


■rf 


C-] 


C<I 


•^ 


c^i 


c^ 




CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CD 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CD 


CO 


CD 


CD 


CO 


CD 


CO 


CO 


CO 


00 


oo 


oo 


oo 


oo 


OO 


00 


OO 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


C« 


00 


GO 


1^ 


00 


3 


rH 


1-1 


i-H 


1-4 


1—1 


1-1 • 


1—1 


1—1 


1—1 


iH 


1—1 


1—1 


1—1 


l—{ 


iH 


1—1 


1—1 


1-1 


1—1 


r^ 


1—* 


^~^ 


1—1 


tH 


o 


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(m" 


(m" 


c4^ 


(m' 


c<r 


M 


c^' 


cl" 


c-t" 


0" 

CO 


cJ 


c<r 


im' 


N 


n" 


of 


cq 


IN 


t-^ 


c<r 


c^ 


oJ 


c^" 


im" 


-l-j 


+J 


^J 


-l-i 


-1-i 


-l-i 


^J 


4J 


^J 


^J 


bi 
3 


^ 


^ 


^ 


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^ 


^ 


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^ 


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^ 


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^ 


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a 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


ft 


(D 


<u 


0) 


<o 


a; 


a> 


a> 


<o 


<P 


<o 


<D 


OJ 


a> 


ID 


IK 


Q) 


a> 


<U 


0) 


a; 





a> 


« 


0) 


<u 


Q 


M 


M 


m 


m 


m 


m 


m 


CQ 


m 


CO 


< 


33 


m 


m 


M 


m 


M 


M 


CO 


m 


CO 


m 


CO 


CO 


CC 









9 <^ 

CO CO 



■ft fl „ . 

CO ^ "3 W 

'"' 5 S S 

+J < ,i3 

bcM !^ o 



N 



(Si 



cs 



_ O 3 >. P ^^, 

HH Ph hC ffi W l-J 



c4 ^' 



CO dj ^2 

fl fl CO 
•—Cm 

-a o > 

QJ a) !>» 
fc i-J M 






3 3 i=l 

QJ (D (D 

J J J 



s % 

>^ "» fe 2 

•S § ^ c 

K 1-5 >j >i 

CD to S ^i 

C!! d 3 S3 

J hJ i-:i .J 



a 



^ a 



' O iS 

•-5 fc 



00"^ 






CO ,c ^ 2 P 

C O O .i«i O 

p d fl « M 

O !>» >. =3 tS 

hJ h4 h:j S S 



O) CO 

o o 

o o 



P 05 


H 


CO P 


CO 


StJ 


tH 


0) - 


rt 


l-J ^ 


^ 


^ •1-4 


( ; 


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oT 


CJ tH 


p 







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o 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 151 



'S'^oco oo(-lcor-i=g Sis J2 ilb 

■5 '--itr''-'.oo T}< oo-h" 






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.23 g oj o o .Q >^ rt .- ^ -r; -o ^ •;:: co -r S --a; £ 

gSQOoIs ^>^qQ^ Q Q^ QrH Oo Q 






ft 


p. ft 


Oi 


q; <d 


cc 


CO CO 






C«0000o2 OOOOOO CO CO cooooo 



^ _ s s 5 B ^ 



2 3SSS P33 



N <M rt< M M (m' M C^] C^l !>] M (M <M 1^5 C^3 (M 

COCO- COCOCOCOCC coco OCD CO^CDCDCD 

0000 oooooooooo ooco OOOO OOOOOOoOOO 

tHiH rHi— IT-Ii— ItH tHi-h ^h^H i— liHi— ItHi— I 

oa s^ of e^r M c^" c-a o-f c i m c^i c^f c^ oi m w 

___^__ -*J-tJ ^J+J-JJ-*J-tJ -iJ-iJ -*J-4J ^J^J^J^J^J 

ftftftftft ftft ftftftftft ftft ftft ftftftftft 

m m mxfi m mm m m m m m mm mm m m m m m 



cq 


M 


C<1 


(M 


<M 


(M 


<M 


to 


CD 


CD 


CD 


CD 


CD 


CO 


CO 


OO 


OO 


OO 


00 


00 


00 


1-1 


rH 


l-H 


T-l 


1— 1 


1-1 


1— 1 


., 


., 


.. 


^ 


., 


.^ 


. 


<M 


C<l 


W 


CM 


(M 


<M 


CJ 



i^ -^ 




a .S2 


^' 


QJ — r o 




JTs ^ O « 


m 


^'^ C^ 


T^ 


c g o i 


rt 
x: 


O O 1-3 tSi 


r ; 






*J -fcJ « o 




t. Ih t- H 
£1J flj Oi ^-^ 


"2 


X2 ^ -a o 


"— ' 


O O >> rt 


!- 


K « PS CO 


CO 






O PhW KCCIPhMCO WM WCOHH^ E-iH H> •^ > > > '^ 



152 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 





ri 




o 5R 







'd* 


ii ^ 




S 


CD 






o 


00 

T-l 






oT 


<U o 




o 


tH 


S5 


m 




>> 








OS 


q; 


a 






S 


■rH 




>> ^ 


Cd 


^ 


3 rf 




(M 


-1-^ 


rt 3 








-Q 73 




>» 


£ > 




03 




o;3 






a; 
> 


02 




C 


o 





;z) CO 3 



be 
pi ^ 



m 



a Pi 

(D O 






,£3 oa o 
o oo 






2 <M to 00 "^ 
O 01 '^ rA --^ 



ii; !>> 



.S > 



0) 5 

S S Q 



u 
^ . 

CO CO 
00 



«D CO 
GO CO 



LO LO 
CO CO 

OO 00 



LO LO LO LO LO LO 
CO ^ O CO CO CO 
00 00 00 OO 00 00 



>> >> 


>. 


. 


cS rf 


c3 


CQ 


ss 


§ 






>^ 






g 






<J 






PL4 


■tJh' ^ 


•^ 


§ 


CO CO 


CO 


o 


CO GO 
;H "i-l 


CO 
1-H 


o 



JD t~ t- 



pi pi 3 

■< ■< 1-3 






(B 0) 01 

CI E3 Pi 

Pl P P 

1-5 1-3 1-5 



-H S 



-* -* ^ ^ "TtH ^ 

CO CO "^ CO CO c^ 
00 CO 00 00 OO 00 



(Td C- C— t- 



n A 


PI 


O OJ 


03 


m M 


>-> 






3 p, ft ft p, 3 
03 o a; CD oj (73 

>-i m m zD m t^ 






O <M O iH rH OO 

M irq OO M CO T-t 



c3 S 
be 
3 



Oi 0) S 



CO CO 

In t- 



bC 

'2 






m m 



« a -a ;?3 

o P- o 

^ . ^ 3 

O ^H 03 O 

<! m o o 



B pi 



1-5 m ° *< 



.rt .-H .;2 <D ^ 






^ -p -3 -3 

.a 3 o o 



fa Cj O O K J 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



153 



u 


1 


a 


r^ 


•o 


^ 


0) 


crt 


O 


oa 




73 


+j 




OS 


u 




o 


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•* 




v> 


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00 


0) 


iH 


bJ) 




!-i 


.^ 


ri 


05 


.d 





rrt 


lO 


Q1 


> 


QJ 


T1 




C! 




^ 


a 


3 


0) 


*-> 


O 




>, 


;^ 


O 


,ti 



d 




bi '-I 








o 




--^<-s 


o 




o . 


o 

■T-) 




>. CO 

a 01 


a> 




a "^ 


u 




a-o 


<u 




o ^ 


m 




U O 






(D -a 






© o 




CO 


7^ -r 



^Q 



3 

O 



irs m lo LO '-^ 

<X> «0 IX> CO ^o 

00 00 00 00 °° 

1— ( tH ^^ ^ tH 



t- (M 



00 00 '^ tC °o 

M c t:^ c^ 

•-5 



3 = 5 in =^ 
^ l-S <13 ^ ^ 



^- rJH Tj, ^ ^ ^ 

S ■=* '^ CO ■» '=C 

55 OO 00 00 °o °o 

^ T-H ^ ^ tH T-H 

T" OS O OS "— ' ■* 

» ^ ci ft ^ c 

oj 5 t« oj 5 rt 

M <I1 1-5 CO <5j 1-5 



be 

3 



cS cd 

•-5 '-5 



lO 




lO 


lO 


U5 


us 


\n 


lO 




IC 


Iffl 


lO 


Irt 




?o 




«3 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 




CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 




oo 




00 


c« 


00 


00 


00 


00 




00 


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00 


00 




iH 




1-1 


tH 


iH 


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1-1 


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1-1 


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IH 


1-t 




■^ 




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00 


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00 




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00 


00 


00 




C^ 




cq 


O-l 


M 


C\J 


(M 


(>J 




CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 




bh 

3 




<p 


<v 


<s 


<D 


a> 


QJ 




<D 


01 


<v 


Oi 




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3 


a 


a 


3 


3 


3 




3 


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3 

•-5 


3 


3 


3 


3 


3 




3 


3 


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1-5 


t-5 


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t-3 




♦-:> 


•-5 


t-5 


1-5 


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>H 




























Ok 
























Oh 




s 
























g 


to 


o 

O 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


o 
o 


00 


00 


oo 
1— 1 


OO 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


00 


1—1 




tH 


1—1 


iH 


tH 


iH 


T-l 


1-1 


1-i 


1-1 


iH 




.s 




US 


Lft 


.^ 


.^ 


^ 


.^ 


.^ 


^ 


.^ 


^ 


^ 




C<1 




1— 1 




<>q 


CO 


N 


W 


C<1 


(M 


CO 


CO 


00 








xn 


lO 


CO 


CO 


00 


00 


iH 


T-l 


00 


00 


CO 


CO 


a; 


<D 


3 


3 


3 


3 


*-5 


1-5 



m CO 






tr] o 



01 

3 S 
t< 3 « tS 
QJ ^ S '-5 

t-5 ^ >. 



fl 3 

r • — J " OJ i 

-!-> *J "C Q) .^S X3 

3 M O -a ^ cJ 

(B O 0) .« :^ O 

J CU Ci ffi CO CO 



CQ 



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a 

CO I 



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a 










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;-i 










m 




w 


r 


K 


X2 


s 


3 


ffi 


J 


a; 
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3 
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a 


3 


O 


> 




'^ 


7^ 


o 




2 

3 


02 

0) 


03 


a. 


b- 


•a 


be 


-w 


t. 


r> 


u 


3 


o 




rt 




ni 


o 


S o rc J 



S5 






O 



se^ 



3 3 tc 

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1-:! J J 



r 01 <1> 

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rn" OJ - ,^' 
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^ Oft) 



CO to I^ ^ 

=* "3 "^ S 

Q o CO M 

^ Z< CO CO 

S S 0) o 

=1 =^ > > 

1— I I— I .^ ^' 



154 



FROM 1609 TO 1&70. 



Ctt 



bD 



O 



Pi 



^ 


OJ 


-a 


CD 


d 


;-. 


m 


CO 


CO 


^ ^~. 


!-> 


T— 1 




<v ■ 


}-, 




-o 


t-i la 


<s 


crT 


u 


XSl zo 

fl CO 




tH 


o 






ii) 


T3 


H t^" 




3 


0) 


^^ M 


< 



'^ 2 

> !=l 

01 -d 

^ CS 

<1) "^ 

CO <i> '"' 

« oo ;p; 1-1 



tf 



CS ft O) 

H O! Q O 



o3 oj 



o z 



1-5 



<B -^ 









to CO 
00 00'- 



ft ft 
m m 



■m m 

Q C 



-^ bJ] ^ 
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Q ^ Q 



O CO 



00 CD 



CO CO 
00 00 



CO CD 
OO 00 



OJ 

PI 


fc 


ft 






a; 


■oh 
s 


PI 

PI 




1-5 


- 


IT! 




t-5 


<J 


1-5 






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CL, 


















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■^ 


o 


M 


N 


IM 


'i^ 


"* 


■*' 


(M 


CO 


o 


CD 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CD 


OO 


CO 


OO 


OO 


CO 


CO 


00 


00 


i-H 




1—1 


I-H 


I-H 


1—1 


tH 


1—1 


I— 1 


^ 




^ 


^ 


^ 


^ 




^ 


fc 


O^D 




(M 


C-5 


M 


<M 


oT 


la 


(M 


^ 




-1-' 


^J 


^ 


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jj 


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ft 




ft 


a 


ft 


ft 


d 


ft 


ft 


<D 




dj 


OJ 


OJ 


o 


cS 


a; 


a; 


m 




m 


CO 


M 


m 


(-; 


cc 


02 



ft ft 

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CO 






'Tt IM' C5 TJh' <M ^' _J CO 

CDtJ==ScO^CDSS 

cocooocooOooS^ 

T— I ^H i—' 1— I 1— ' ^H ,_l 

irq" (ra (N m" c-f (^q - c^ 



ftftftftftft^Q ft 
COtOMCOCOMfctC 



bfl 
<55 



'*'U"5CDC^Tti00LO00 ■<*' 



bO 
O 

Pi 



^ 03 :=! 

|h ^ 
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m bX) bJD 



03 C 

Xi -PI 



O CQ 



.1^ o 
CO CQ 



D3 CD 



M 'n 



o cc 



o p 



PI :s 



1-1 cc 



> >. ^ Pi 

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S C! t- ft bJD 

O O 3 "l) o3 -^ 

o o a Q fc fc 



c o <^ 

O •-: 



CO o 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 155 






5? A lo" ^ lo b£ o "2 ID >■ t-" eg i rt ^ iS 



kS _, TrH-liiS -eo rS- S^-M aj"" 












® 0) 5 

•^ »-3 



coM Mm m!* (m (MM iM t^^ 2 

^£, to iO ZO to ^^ to to to to to r7) 

OOCO OOoO <X> '^ 00 OOOO 00 00 IJ: 

,_|-^ t-ItH 1-1'"' tH -i-Hi-l 1-1 1-1 " 

An ca Pt-o n aa a a zi 

CCOQ MM Mfc M OJCC CO 02 p5 






C 





^ 




o 


QJ 


tf 






a 


fi" 


/^ 


o 












a 




a 




X 



CO 



s 15 a'^ f I ""' a i^ I 

5 S| .^ ia- I £| - - % e^. < 
t s^ |e si I 13 II I tl I 



156 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 



bJO 






(e; 



tc 



Tti '"' 



>• (N 






(1) Sh 



O tH 



SO Q 



p. 
5 '^ 

o i^ 
o a 

r=5 









03 

. ^ . 

fyi ^ 00 

(-1 -r^ 



OS 

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CO (X' 

5 S 



ti 



C5 

cS 
P. 

a 

o 
o 



•^ lo 'n 

S s ■» 

OO g 00 

•M ^ i-H 

2S oo ss" 



3 3 3 
1-5 1-5 1-5 



CO 
CO 



(N ,• J2 'f ■>*' ^ ^ 

^ C^l CO o CO <o CO 

OO ^ CO 00 00 OO 00 
i-H^O'-trHi-tTHrHLO 

tH ^ CO 

N ^,- S m" rH CO ce" 52 

03 O O) 3 OJ O) C 



M tH 



3 

<1 



-Q .Q p. 

0) O) 0) 
fe fc CG 



B 
o 



3 

< 



lO Ift lO lO 
CO CO CO CO 
CO CO CO oo 



a> 01 <B a> 

i=l fl 3 3 

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As before noted, shortly after the 
close of the Gettysburg campaign, the 
Sixth served as guard to the ammuni- 
tion train, of the artillery reserve of 
the Army of the Potomac, from July 
10, 1863. In August the regiment was 
transferred to the first brigade re- 
serve artillery, A. P. While attached 
to this brigade it participated in var- 
ious movements of the Army of the 
Potomac, which finally culminated in 
that army going into winter quarters, 
between those two historic rivers — the 
Rappahannock, and the Rapidan. 
These demonstrations and encounters 
may be briefly summarized as fol- 
lows: 

When General Meade took up the 
pursuit of Lee, after the battle of 
Gettysburg, he did not cross the Poto- 
mac until the 18th of July. His march 
to the southward was leisurely made, 
so that Warrenton was not reached 
until the 25th. The Union command- 
er expected to confront Lee at Man- 
assas Gap, but that wily antagonist 
avoided an engagement, by pushing 
on to Culpeper Court House. 

Meade, becoming aware that Lee 
had depleted his forces by detaching 
part of his troops to the relief of 
Bragg, at Chattanooga, assumed the 
offensive, advanced over the Rappa- 
hannock, dislodged Lee, and occupied 
the latter's former position. This 
movement caused Lee to retire to the 
south side of the Rapidan, and to a 
well protected position, which Meade 
did not think it prudent to assault, 
especially as the two corps of Howard 
and Slocum had been detached under 
General Hooker, and sent to the aid 
of the Army of the Cumberland. 

Sept. 16, General Pleasanton, with 
Buford, Kilpatrick, and Gregg, with 
a large force of cavalry, crossed the 
fords of the Rappahannock above 
Fredericksburg. Supported by the 
Second Corps, under General Warren, 
made a reconnaissance in force. This 
hostile demonstration revealed the ab- 
sence of Longstreet's Corps from 
Lee's army. Meade resolved on a 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



159 



forward movement. To open the way 
for the proposed advance, on Oct. 10, 
Buford, with his cavalry, was ordered 
to seize and hold the upper fords of 
the Rapidan. General Lee upset this 
well conceived intention by crossing 
his army at the fords, toward wliich 
Bufford was pressing, and marching 
around by Madison Court House, in- 
tending to strike Mead's right. Lee 
met Kilpatrick's outlying cavalry and 
forced that daring rider back on 
Culpeper. This unexpected move on 
the part of Lee, obliged Meade to re- 
tire to the north side of the Rappa- 
hannock the night of the 11th, and to 
blow up a bridge in his rear to cover 
his retreat. On the morning of the 
12th he re-crossed the rivers, but Lee 
now attempted to gain Meade's rear 
by a flank movement. The Union 
commander foiled this attempt by fal- 
ling back towards Bristow's Station, 
on the line of the Orange & Alexandria 
Railroad. Lee then sent forward the 
Corps of Hill and Ewell for the same 
objective point. Meade gave both of 
these doughty warriors the slip, and 
was well on his way to Warrenton 
with the main body of his army by 
the time Hill overtook the rear guard 
at Bristow. But as the latter was 
preparing to attack this menace to his 
advance, Warren suddenly appeared 
in his rear, and Hill was obliged to 
face about and fight. Warren gave 
Hill a good drubbing, capturing some 
five hundred prisoners. Warren, prior 
to this, had a brush with Ewell at 
Auburn. This result left Hill in a 
predicament, but as Ewell was only a 
short distance in Warren's rear, the 
Union general had to withdraw dur- 
ing the night, which he successfully 
accomplished, rejoining the main body 
of the army on the morning of the 
15th. 

Thwarted in his effort to outflank 
Meade, Lee retreated along the line 
of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, 
destroying its tracks from Bristow 
Station to Rappahannock Station. 
Mead, as the result of these opera- 
tions, was held at Warrenton for some 



three weeks. He then proposed to ad- 
vance on Fredericksburg, but Halleck, 
the general-in-chief, interposed an ob- 
jection. 

Nov. 7 General Sedgwick, with the 
Sixth Corps, advanced to Rappahan- 
nock Station, while General French 
pushed to Kelley's Ford. At the sta- 
tion Sedgwick found part of Early's 
Confederate division, strongly in- 
trenched, guarding a pontoon bridge. 

These entrenchments were subse- 
quently carried by assault, the pon- 
toon bridge, several stands of small 
arms, a number of guns and nearly 
2,200 prisoners were some of the re- 
sults of this brilliant victory. This 
stunning blow disconcerted Lee and 
he rapidly fell back beyond the Rapi- 
dan. Here he constructed a line of 
works some eight miles in length, 
along Mine Run, taking advantage of 
every ridge and conformation to con- 
struct offensive and defensive works. 

Meade decided to make an attempt 
to turn this position, and getting 
around to Orange Court House, de- 
stroy his opponent's army in detail. 

The advance w£fs made on Nov. 26. 
As usual, unexpected difficulties arose. 
On the 28th it was decided to attack 
the works, on the morning of the 29th. 
Warren was to attack on the right at 
8 o'clock, and Sedgwick to assault on 
the left, about an hour later. Mean- 
while a heavy fire was to be opened 
on the center from the batteries. 

The batteries opened fire and a dash 
of skirmishers across the Rapidan dis- 
lodged the Confederate pickets, but 
Warren found the right too well pro- 
tected and the Confederates so strong- 
ly massed, that he hesitated to begin 
the attack. Sedgwick, not hearing 
Warren's guns, held back. 

General Meade, after conning the 
Confederate works, decided Warren's 
caution commendable, and ordered a 
suspension of the entire movement. 
Dec. 1 it was decided to abandon the 
idea of carrying the works by assault. 
Meade fell back across the Rapidan 
and went into winter quarters. Lee 
made no attempt to hinder this re- 



160 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



trograde movement. 

Daybreak of May 4, 1864, found the 
Army of the Potomac in motion, its 
three corps — Second, Fifth and Sixth, 
under the respective commands of 
Generals Winfield Scott Hancock, 
Gouverneur Kemble Warren, and 
John Sedgwick, all of them brave, ex- 
perienced and gallant officers, under 
the immediate direction of General 
George Gordon Meade. Lieut. Gen. 
Ulysses S. Grant directed these sev- 
eral corps, by orders promulgated 
through General Meade. The cavalry 
corps was led by Maj. Gen. Philip H. 
Sheridan, whom General Grant 
brought with him from the West, 
where by his consummate skill in 
handling large bodies of troops, and 
his marvelous ability in grasping op- 
portunities he attracted the favorable 
notice of his chief, who was prompt 
to recognize in "Little Phil" the mak- 
ing of a trusty, loyal and efficient aid. 
The Ninth Corps, under General Am- 
brose E. Burnside, was held in reserve. 
Grant's objective point was Rich- 
mond. Between this and the former 
interposed the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia, under General Robert E. Lee 
and his able lieutenants — -Longstreet, 
A. P. Hill and Ewell, and his cavalry, 
led by J. E. B. Stewart, the man who 
had proven him.self a very "thorn in 
the side" to the Union Army on sev- 
eral well remembered occasions. 

No resistance was made to the lay- 
ing of the pontoon bridges. The 
Second Corps crossed the Rapidan at 
Ely's Ford, and the Fifth and Sixth 
Corps, at Germanna Ford, the entire 
force gaining the south side of the 
river shortly after noon of Wednes- 
day. The roads in the immediate front 
of the advancing army were patrolled 
by Gregg's division of cavalry. The 
Second Corps camped on the old Chan- 
cellorsville battlefield, and the Fifth 
around the old Wilderness Tavern, 
and the Sixth between the last named 
and Germanna Ford. 

On Thursday, May 5, General Lee 
got busy. He purposed to mass his 
troops against the foremost corps, and 



cut that off by interposing his force 
between it and the Rapidan, to pre- 
vent the reserves from coming to its 
aid. The Union Army moved forward 
on Thursday morning, hoping to find 
more favorable ground for operations, 
and for the use of artillery, which the 
low trees and heavy undergrowth in 
the immediate front made impractic- 
able. About noon the Union Army 
advanced, formed in line of battle, 
Sedgwick on the right, Warren in the 
center, and Hancock, the left. 

Griffin's division of the Fifth Corps 
was the first to engage the enemy. 
After stubbornly contesting the ground 
for fully an hour and sustaining a 
heavy loss, it was forced back a short 
distance, but being supported by 
Wadsworth's and Robinson's divisions 
of the same corps, it continued the 
fight, eventually gaining the lost 
ground. At 3 p. m., Lee made another 
attempt to break the lines between 
Warren and Hancock. A furious 
struggle ensued, the contest develop- 
ing into a musketry fusillade of great 
severity on both sides, and sustained 
with a rapidity that was rarely 
equalled. There was but little artil- 
lery used, the nature of the ground 
not permitting. After four hours of 
desperate fighting, Sedgwick's Corps 
came up, and the Confederates were 
driven back, leaving Ewell's Corps in 
jeopardy. Night coming on, both 
armies rested on the field. The fight- 
ing throughout the day was at times 
severe, and in some cases desperate, 
left the result indecisive. The losses 
on both sides were nearly equal. The 
Union position was more favorable 
than on the day just past. General 
Grant had his forces well in hand and 
was ready and eager for the coming 
fray. 

On Friday morning. May 6, fighting 
began at early dawn, the enemy re- 
peating their tactics of the previous 
day, making simultaneous attacks 
upon the Union right and left wings. 
These attacks were invariably re- 
pulsed, though for a time Seymour's 
and Shaler's brigades gave way, and 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



161 



the two named commanders were cap- 
tured. 

General Sedgwick succeeded in 
rallying the troops at the threatened 
point, and compelled that enemy to 
withdraw from that portion of the 
field. On the left, Hancock in the 
morning attacked and drove the enemy 
for more than two miles, and despite 
Longstreet's re-enforcement, the lat- 
ter was barely able to hold the posi- 
tion to which he had retreated, and 
finally was driven back from his sec- 
ond position. There was also very 
heavy fighting at the point where the 
Second and Fifth Corps joined, and 
at one time, during the day, to prevent 
the first division of the Second Corps 
from being flanked, it was forced to 
fall back to its intrenched line on the 
Brock road. This movement involved 
the fourth division of the Fifth Corps, 
under Brig. Gen. James S. Wadsworth, 
a most gallant soldier, who fell mor- 
tally wounded while urging his troops 
to the conflict. Owing to the loss of 
their noble leader, this division was 
pressed back and he fell into the hands 
of the enemy. 

After this sortie on the part of the 
enemy there was a brief lull about 
noon, which was employed by the 
Union side in rectifying the lines, to 
meet further attacks. Longstreet's 
and Hill's corps again made desperate 
efforts to drive back the Union lines. 
Charge and repulse followed in quick 
succession, but at nightfall the whole 
Confederate line had been driven back. 
The carnage on both sides was fear- 
ful. On the Union side the brave 
Brig. Gen. Alexander Hayes was killed, 
making two field officers. On the 
Confederate side General J. M. Jones 
and Jenkins were killed, and Generals 
Longstreet, Stafford, Pegram and 
Hunter were severely wounded. The 
loss on both days was nearly thirty 
thousand, and about equally divided. 

Grant now resolved on a flank 
movement, and on the night of the 
6th started his advance column for 
Spottsylvania Court House. 

On Saturday, May 7, at daybreak. 



the Union forces were led to the at- 
tack; there was some severe skirm- 
ishing, but it soon became evident 
that the main body of the enemy were 
moving towards the Court House. 
Thither Grant pursued promptly, but 
there was no severe fighting, but 
some lively skirmishing till Sunday 
morning, the Sth, when Griflln's, Rob- 
inson's, Crawford's and Cutler's divi- 
sion of the Fifth Corps, had a severe 
battle with a large force of the enemy, 
and drove the latter back into his 
breastworks. Toward night another 
advance was made by the Fifth and 
Sixth Corps. At close of day the Sec- 
ond and Sixth Corps changed positions. 
Monday morning, the 9th, there was 
no general melee, but the rebel sharp 
shooters were particularly active. 
During this desultory firing the brave 
Gen. John Sedgwick was killed while 
directing the placing of a battery. 
Toward dusk, Gen. Grant ordered an- 
other advance on the enemy, but this 
new effort was not successful in driv- 
ing the Confederates from their strong 
position. On Tuesday morning, May 
10, the fighting was resumed, with 
renewed vigor, artillery being called 
more effectively in play than since 
the opening of the campaign. The 
contest was waged throughout the 
day with relentless fury. The Fifth 
Corps, two divisions of the Second 
Corps, and late in the afternoon two 
divisions of the Sixth, the latter cap- 
turing a thousand prisoners, joined in 
the fray. The Union losses were 
about two thousand. While gallantly 
leading a cliarge, Brig. Gen. James C. 
Rice was killed. 

At the close of this day's work Gen. 
Grant sent to the Secretary of War 
the famous despatch, closing with 
these words, "1 propose to fight it out 
on this line if it takes all summer." 

On Wednesday morning. May 11, 
there was a lull in the storm, which 
lasted until ten o'clock in the fore- 
noon, when the Union batteries began 
cannonading the enemy's position. 
One hour later General Lee sent in a 
flag of truce, asking a cessation of 



162 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



hostilities for forty-eiglit hours, that 
he might bury the dead. This was 
declined, and the Union lines were im- 
naediately advanced. During the night 
of the 11th, the Second Corps was 
moved to the left and placed between 
the Sixth and Ninth Corps. General 
Grant once more ordered a flank 
movement to the left. The move was 
entrusted to General Hancock and his 
famous Corps. May 12 (Thursday 
morning at half-past four) the charge 
began. The movement was a complete 
surprise, resulting in the capture of 
four thousand prisoners, two generals, 
Stewart and Johnson, and more than 
thirty guns. Storming parties from 
the Fifth and Ninth Corps were less 
successful, but the result was a sub- 
stantial victory. The enemy strove 
manfully to recover the lost ground, 
but by noon gave up the attempt. In 
the afternoon the Union troops pressed 
still further to the left, and continued 
to turn the enemy's right, pouring in 
meanwhile a destructive and continu- 
ous artillery fire all along their right 
and center. This was stubbornly re- 
turned by the opposing forces. The 
fighting had continued continuously 
for fourteen hours. At the Salient or 
Bloody Angle the severity of the 
musketry firing was never exceeded. 
Trees eighteen inches in diameter 
were felled by the storm of bullets, 
which came from both directions. 
Words fail to convey a realization of 
the horror of the scene and the ten- 
acity of purpose which filled the 
hearts of the brave contestants on 
either side. The strife continued 
until long after dark, and only ceased 
when the combatants were utterly ex- 
hausted. During the night Lee moved 
southward and farther to the right, 
closely pursued by Grant. There was 
but little skirmishing on the 13th, and 
on Saturday, the 14th, the two armies 
were engaged in throwing up in- 
trenchments, in order to guard against 
surprise. There was considerable 
skirmishing at Gayle's House, at the 
crossing of the Ny river. There 
was a rest for some days, after the 



occurrence above noted. On the 18th 
General Grant renewed the engage- 
ment. General Hancock attacking the 
enemy's right flank, and capturing two 
lines of his intrenchments and seiz- 
ing two guns. Gen. Burnside also had 
a severe tussle in his immediate front, 
buit without decisive result. The 
Union loss in this day's contest was 
about twelve hundred. On the night 
of the ISth, the Union cavalry under 
General Torbert, occupied Guiney's 
Station, on the Richmond, Fredericks- 
burg and Potomac railroad, ten miles 
east southeast of Spottsylvania. On 
the evening of the 19th the main army 
started on a new flank movement, the 
Second Corps leading, followed by the 
Fifth on Saturday morning. May 20. 
The rebel General Ewell at this junc- 
ture attempted to create a stampede 
among the teams of the provision and 
ambulance trains. He was met by 
General Tyler's division of heavy ar- 
tillery, armed as infantry, which 
routed Ewell's forces, and aided by 
Birney's, Crawford's and Russell's di- 
visions, pursued him, inflicting heavy 
loss in killed and wounded and cap- 
turing some four hundred prisoners. 
The Union loss was not over six 
hundred. 

Continuing its flank movement, the 
army reached Bowling Green, and the 
Second Corps, which was in the ad- 
vance, Mulford Bridge, forty miles 
from Richmond, on the 21st. On the 
23d, the other troops having arrived, 
found Lee holding a strong position 
between the North and South Ann 
rivers. Warren crossed the North Ann 
at Jericho's Ford, and Hancock cap- 
tured the ford on the South Ann, at 
Taylor's Bridge. This was a most im- 
portant point, as it lay between Lee's 
army and Richmond. 

Lee made repeated attempts to re- 
take this bridge, but all were unsuc- 
cessful. The rebel position was too 
strong for a direct attack. Grant, un- 
der cover of an attack against Lee's 
left, recrossed the North Ann, and 
burned the bridge of the Virginia 
Central railroad over that stream, rap- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870 



163 



idly crossed the Pamunkey river, and 
on May 31 liad his entire army south 
of that stream and within fifteen miles 
of Richmond. Lee by virtue of his 
interior lines, was able to interpose 
between Grant and that city. On June 
1 the Sixth Corps formed a jjunction 
near Cold Harbor with the 18th Corps 
of the Army of the James, under Gen. 
Wm. F. Smith (Baldy). This position 
had been held earlier in the day by 
Sheridan's cavalry against repeated 
and desperate assaults of the enemy. 
The Eighteenth and Sixth Corps ar- 
rised just in the nick of time. They_ 
charged on and captured the rebel 
works, and held the positions gained, 
despite desperate and repeated as- 
saults to regain them on the part of 
the enemy. On June 2d there was 
no general engagement, but an at- 
tempt was made to break through the 
lines in front of the Fifth Corps. 
There was some very heavy skirmish- 
ing on some parts of the field, which 
were at first favorable to the enemy. 
This was more particularly the case 
in front of Ayres' Division, where the 
troops were fired upon while march- 
ing in column of fours, hastening to 
the aid of their comrades to the right. 
These troops at once faced to the 
front and opened fire upon their as- 
sailants. Ayres' men were forced 
back a short distance, but quickly 
formed a new line of battle, turned 
upon their pursuers and drove them 
back to their own lines. At dawn 
of the morning of June 3 a general 
assault was made on the rebel lines. 
The attempt, though made with great 
dash and determination, was unsuc- 
cessful. It should never have been 
attempted. General Grant in his 
Memoirs, Vol. II, pp. 276, says, "I have 
always regretted that the last assault 
at Cold Harbor was ever made." 

After the battle of June 3 there were 
occasional sallies made by both sides, 
but no general engagement, General 
Grant being satisfied that Lee could 
not be dislodged by a direct attack, 
determined on another change of base, 
and a transfer of operations to the 



vicinity of Petersburg. This move- 
ment began on Sunday night, June 12, 
and the transfer of his army was com- 
pleted on the loth, without opposition 
or loss. The Second and Fifth Corps 
arrived on the south side of the James 
on the afternoon of the 15th, and at 
once started for Petersburg, which 
was being threatened by the advance 
upon it from Bermuda Hundred, of 
the Eighteenth Corps, which had been 
sent from White House in transports 
to the Appomattox for the purpose. 

By failing to pursue with vigor, and 
the lack of co-operation, Lee by virtue 
fo his interior lines was enabled to 
check the Union advance and hold the 
Union army at bay for many days. 
The Fifth Corps lay inactive on the 
16th and 17th, but on the morning of 
the 18th, was ordered forward, its ob- 
jective point being the Norfolk and 
Petersburg railroad, which it reached 
about noon. Ayres' Division, after 
crossing. the railroad, made a right 
wheel, driving in the enemy's skirm- 
ishers. This brought the line of bat- 
tle at right angles with the enemy's 
line of fortifications. After advancing 
for about a quarter of a mile in the 
direction of Petersburg the division 
came to a halt, and at once began to 
throw up breastworks. The position 
of the Sixth New York Heavy Artillery 
was almost directly in front of Ceme- 
tery Hill and a little to the left of 
the point where Colonel Pleasants 
soon after planted and plotted the 
mine, which promised so much and 
which failed so miserably because 
someone had blundered. 

The morning of July 30 and the hour 
of 4.30 had been set for the firing of 
the mine. The fuse went out prema- 
turely, and two ex-miners volunteered 
to relight it. It was an hour later 
than the time set before the grand up- 
heaval took place. The report of the 
explosion was the signal for the Union 
batteries to concentrate their fire upon 
the threatened point. This part of the 
program was carried out. The abatis 
in front of the Union lines should have 
been cleared away, and the Ninth 



164 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Corps, supported by the Eighteenth, 
should have been double-quicked 
across the intervening space in the 
shortest possible time. Instead of 
co-operation there was an utter lack 
of organization and valuable minutes 
were allowed to go by, thus giving the 
enemy time to recover from the shock 
and surprise occasioned by the explo- 
sion. Hundreds of brave lives were 
uselessly sacrificed because someone 
failed in his duty at the critical mo- 
ment, and the responsibility for the 
fiasco was never definitely fixed. 

Of this movement. General Grant 
writes: 

"Warren and Ord fulfilled their in- 
structions perfectly, so far as making 
ready was concerned. Burnside seem- 
ed to have paid no attention whatever 
to the instructions, and left all the ob- 
struction in his own front for his 
troops to get over in the best way they 
could. The four divisions of his corps 
were commanded by Generals Potter, 
Willcox, Ledlie and Ferrero. The last 
was a colored division; and Burnside 
selected it to make the assault. Meade 
interfered with this. Burnside then 
took Ledlie's division — worse selection 
than the first could have been. In 
fact. Potter and Wilcox were the only 
division commanders Burnside had, 
who were equal to the occasion. 
Ledlie besides being otherwise in- 
efficient, proved also to possess dis- 
qualifications less common among 
soldiers." 

"There was some delay about the 
explosion of the mine, so that it did 
not go off until about five o'clock in 
the morning; when it did explode it 
was very successful, making a crater 
twenty feet deep and something like 
a hundred in length. Instantly one 
hundred and ten cannon and fifty 
mortars, which had been placed in 
the most commanding positions cov- 
ering the ground to the right and left 
of where the troops were to enter the 
enemy's lines, commenced playing. 
Ledlie's Division marched into the 
crater immediately on the explosion, 
but most of the men stopped there in 



the absence of anyone to give direc- 
tions, their commander having found 
some safe retreat to get into before 
they started. There was some delay 
on the left and right in advancing, 
but some of the troops did get in and 
turn to the right and left, carrying 
the rifle pits, as I expected they would 
^Q_" ***** "The effort was a stu- 
pendous failure." 

Shortly after the mine explosion, 
the Sixth N. Y. Heavy Artillery was 
detached from Ayres' Division (the 
Second, of the Fifth Corps), to the 
First Brigade of Kitching's Provis- 
ional Division, Army of the Shenan- 
doah. 

General Lee in an effort to divert 
Grant from his purpose of capturing 
Petersburgh and Richmond, had dis- 
patched General Jubal A. Early to 
make a demonstration up the Shen- 
andoah Valley, threatening Baltimore 
and Washington. Early took hold of 
the task with great confidence. 
Crossing the Potomac at Williamsport 
and Point of Rocks, with about 
twenty-three thousand men early in 
July, he broke up his forces into num- 
erous bands, and while part tore up 
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and 
damaged the Chesapeake & Ohio 
canal, others plundered Frederick, 
Hagerstown and other towns, levying 
contributions of money upon all the 
larger places. July 9 a strong force 
attacked Gen. Lew Wallace at Mono- 
cacy Junction, defeating the Union 
forces and capturing several hundred 
prisoners. The victorious Confeder- 
ates now threatened Washington. On 
Monday evening, July 11, they came 
within eight miles of that city, and 
on Tuesday morning, the 12th, their 
advanced guard appeared in front of 
Fort Stevens, one of the outer de- 
fenses of the Capital. Gen. C. C. 
Augur despatched a brigade of vet- 
eran infantry against the invaders, 
which soon drove the latter from the 
field, and sent them retreating across 
the Potomac. 

General Grant, reposing great con- 
fidence in the soldierly abilities of his 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



165 



chief of cavalry. Gen. Philip H. Sheri- 
dan, and having full faith that he was 
more than a match for Early, as a 
strategist and tactician, determined to 
put an end to the vacillating policy 
which had prevailed in Washington 
in the conduct of affairs, and the con- 
stant interference on the part of the 
Secretary of War, with the generals 
in the field, who had been formerly 
assigned by Grant to undertake and 
perform certain tasks. He therefore, 
suggested to President Lincoln the 
advisability of putting Sheridan in 
command of the Middle Military Di- 
vision, sometimes called the Depart- 
ment of the Shenandoah. The presi- 
dent on Aug. 7 made this assignment, 
and on the same day "Little Phil" as- 
sumed command, with headquarters 
at Harper's Ferry. 

He immediately issued his orders 
for the concentration of his forces in 
the vicinity of the Shenandoah Valley. 
This being effected, he made such dis- 
position of them as would defeat the 
purposes of his wily antagonist. 

Aside from some minor engage- 
ments with the enemy's cavalry, he 
met and defeated Early on Sept. 19 
at Opequan Creek. In this disastrous 
battle and retreat Early had three of 
his ablest generals killed, and four 
more severely wounded, among the 
latter was Fitzhugh Lee, commander 
of Early's cavalry, besides, between 
three and four thousand in killed and 
wounded, five thousand prisoners, fif- 
teen battle flags and five pieces of ar- 
tillery. The pursuit was continued to 
Fisher's Hill, where Early sought 
shelter behind his defences. But 
Sheridan in a series of flank move- 
ments, begun on the 22d, three days 
after his brilliant action at Opequan, 
a series of flank movements, by which 
he reached the enemy's rear, cut 
Early's forces in two, drove him in 
full retreat towards Woodstock. 
Eleven hundred prisoners and sixteen 
pieces of artillery were captured; the 
pursuit was continued until the 25th, 
and did not conclude until the Con- 



federates were driven below Port Re- 
public. 

After these signal victories Sheri- 
dan employed his cavalry in captur- 
ing or destroying the abundant sup- 
plies of provisions and forage, with 
which the Shenandoah, Luray and 
contiguous valleys were stored, and 
from which Early had drawn the main 
subsistence for his army. 

On Oct. 8 General Rosser, who com- 
manded a division of Early's cavalry, 
began to annoy and harass Sheridan's 
rear. Sheridan at once faced about 
and offered Rosser battle, which he 
seemed loath to accept. Noting this, 
Sheridan resolved to attack the bold 
Rosser the next morning. The work 
was assigned to the cavalry, which, 
taking Rosser in front and flank, rout- 
ed him, capturing eleven cannon, sev- 
eral caissons, a battery forge, forty- 
seven wagons, and over three hundred 
prisoners, pursuing the fleeing horse- 
men "on the jump" twenty-six miles 
across the south fork of the Shen- 
andoah. This highly successful move- 
ment was designated by the victors 
as the "Woodstock Races.** 

General Early, smarting under 
these successive defeats, longed for 
an opportunity to be avenged upon 
his adversary. With this object in 
view, and having been strongly rein- 
forced, he took advantage, in the tem- 
porary absence of Sheridan in Wash- 
ington, and believing that the Sixth 
Corps had been returned to Peters- 
burg, to make the effort to secure re- 
venge, and obtain the victory. He 
came very near securing both objects. 
With a rashness inspired by despera- 
tion. Early resolved by a night move- 
ment to turn the left flank of the 
Union army. To do this it was neces- 
sary to descend into the gorge at the 
base of the Mansanutten Mountain, 
cross the north fork of the Shenan- 
doah, and for two miles or more skirt 
the position of the Army of West Vir- 
ginia. 

Fortune favored him in this regard. 
By some strange oversight, the road 
by which he had to pass was left un- 



166 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



guarded, the Union cavalry holding it 
having been withdrawn a day or two 
previously. Thus the movement was 
accomplished without detection, and 
at dawn, under cover of a dense fog, 
struck the Eighth Corps and poured 
a destructive fire into it, meanwhile 
outflanking it at every step. Although 
these troops were taken by surprise, 
they made a brave resistance, which 
was in vain. The Nineteenth and 
Sixth Corps were enveloped in turn. 
The men of the Sixth Heavy Artillery 
shared in this ineffectual struggle, 
many being shot down in their com- 
pany streets. Major Edward Jones 
while endeavoring to rally his men, 
was mortally wounded. 

The entire line was soon in full re- 
treat, pursued by the, for the time, 
victorious enemy. During a lull in 
the pursuit. Gen. H. G. "Wright suc- 
ceeded in rallying part of his gallant 
troops and made a stand against the 
advancing hosts. It was now about 
ten o'clock. In the meantime Sheri- 
dan, who had arrived at Winchester 
the night before, appeared on the 
scene, his horse flecked with foam, 
swinging his hat and shouting to the 
stragglers, "Face the other way, boys! 
We are going back to our camps! 
We are going to lick them out of their 
boots!" The effect was magical. 

Making the necessary preparations 
and reforming his lines, rode along 
the latter, studying the ground and 
encouraging the men. Having formed 
his troops in a good position and or- 
dered the erection of temporary 
breastworks, he notified the Nine- 
teenth Corps that the enemy were ad- 
vancing against them, and that they 
must hold their ground. The rebel 
columns came, and were soon re- 
pulsed. At half-past three, Sheridan 
ordered an advance along his whole 
line, and swung the Nineteenth Corps, 
now forming his right, upon the left 
so as to flank the enemy and push 
them from the hills, on to the turn- 
pike and the Middletown Meadows, 
where he could hurl his cavalry upon 
them. The movement was successful, 



although at first Early's troops held 
their ground with great tenacity, but 
the Union soldiers smarting under 
their defeat of the morning, fought 
like tigers, driving the enemy, forcing 
his first line, carrying his second with 
a charge which swept all before it. 
The enemy were soon in full retreat 
up the valley, pursued by Sheridan's 
dashing riders, on to Fisher's Hill, 
and so to Woodstock, sixteen miles 
distant. Early was forced to aban- 
don cannon, small arms, clothing, 
everything, in the mad haste to shake 
off his pursuers. Forty-nine cannon, 
including the twenty captured by 
Early, in the morning, fifty wagons, 
sixty-five ambulances, sixteen hun- 
dred small arms, and fifteen hundred 
prisoners, and two thousand killed 
and wounded left on the field, were 
the trophies of this victory. 

The Sixth N. Y. Heavy Artillery 
suffered quite severely in the battle 
of Cedar Creek. It had one officer and 
11 enlisted men killed, three officers 
and 11 men mortally wounded, two 
officers and 50 enlisted men wounded 
that recovered therefrom and 16 en- 
listed men missing, the majority of 
whom died in captivity. Among those 
from the town of Cortlandt: In Com- 
pany "A", Wm. Fitzgerald, of Peeks- 
kill, was killed; Sergeant Peter Corne 
Cruger, son of the late John Peach 
Cruger, received a gunshot wound 
from the effects of which he died eight 
days later; Sergeant David A. Lent 
was also seriously wounded in the 
same battle. He was sent to An- 
napolis, Md., and died in hospital there 
Feb. 15, 1S65; Corporal Henry M. Gil- 
lett, also of Company "A" and hailing 
from near Garrison, was also among 
the killed. 

After this decisive engagement. 
Early made no further attempts to 
surprise Sheridan. The early part of 
December the Sixth Artillery left the 
Shenandoah Valley and joined the be- 
sieging forces near Petersburg. It 
was assigned to Ferrero's Division, 
Army of the James, occupying the 



PROM 1609 TO 1870. 167 

trenches fronting Bermuda Hundred. 

Here it remained until April 2, 1865, ' ^ ^ c.| ^- ^ .isj ^ 

when it joined in the assault on Pet- .2 'S p ^ ^ ^ % v 

ersburg, and on the afternoon of that S "^^ '"' . ^ '^ 

day entered the evacuated city. The Q c^i' d *^ i^ b .ti "^ 



CI 

of the Peekskillers, and the one se- S ^ S . b 



guarding of the prize fell to the lot 3 2 t-, rt"^ " ^ m 



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lected as commandant of the city jail ."S "^^ -^/^o^Ph 

was Lieut. John Smith, Jr. x ^ :>. '^ '^■5 3 S 

By orders from the War Department, - ^- • so,-irnSO 

the men whose term of service would 
expire Oct. 1, 1865, were mustered out 
of service at Petersburg, June 28, 1865, 
and sent home. 

Those remaining were joined by de- 
tachments from the Tenth and Thir- 
teenth regiments of N. Y. Heavy Ar- 
tillery, making the full complement of 
twelve companies, commanded by Col. 
Stephen Baker. The regiment so 
formed was finally mustered out of 
service Aug. 24, 1865. 

SIXTH N. Y. HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

Garrett Dyckman, enrolled April 22, 
1861, at New York; mustered in as 
captain of Company "A" April 23, 1861, 
to serve two years, as lieutenant-col- 
onel. May 7, 1861; appointed colonel 
Sept. 10, 1861; discharged October 9, 
1862; commissioned captain, with 

rank from April 23, 1861, original; t^i _S 5 & 

lieutenant-colonel, June 20, 1861, with 
rank from May 9, 1861, original; col- 
onel, Oct. 19, 1861, with rank from 
Sept. 19, 1861, vice W. H. Allen, dis- 
missed. 

Colonel Dyckman was a field officer 
in the First N. Y. Volunteer Regiment 
during the Mexican War. He was 
severely wounded in the storming of 
Chepultepec, and was presented by 
President Tyler with a gold snuff box, 
a gift from Andrew Jackson, the hero 
of New Orleans, for distinguished gal- 
lantry on the above named occasion. 

The late Richard Montgomery Gil- 
leo, David McCoy and John Engel 
served in the last named regiment 
under Dyckman. [K 



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168 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



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to 

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1-1 

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ft 

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1 
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CD 


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CD 
01 


bh 

13 


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ft 


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CD 
CO 


CD 

m 

PI 


Pi 

PI 

l-H 


a i° 


t-l 

ft 




3 
o 

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o 

ft 


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03 


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CD 


-* 




CD 




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ft 

a 

o 



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o 


tf 




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FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



173 



ra 




tf 


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a; 

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CIS 


tf 


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a 

o 

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0) 


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02 t> 



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CD CO CO CO 
CO CO CO oo 



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d d 

d 3 

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d d 
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^ a 




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a 73 

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a 




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174 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



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03 Sj 5 



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p. O tH 



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FROM 1609 TO 1870. 175 



& -a 






fl - ^ S '•^ o- ^ t. .5 bi "" d .5 ^ >, - .S >> >, 



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1— 1 


1—1 






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to 


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CO 


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CD 


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176 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



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z »^<i 



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w-< i-i^ M l> »-« 
SO«aitH<u.r5cSa32fH<i^ 



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03 

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3 


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00 

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oo 

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FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



177 



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termaste 
I 19th N. 
Sept. 8, 1 
1, Manas 


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to .-. 


savy Artille 
omoted qu 
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ed of diseas 
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d 
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178 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Name. 

Austin, William, 
Broadie, William A.; 
Carrigan, Perry, 
Clark, Geo. F., 
Collard, Nelson, 
Conklin, diaries, 
Conklin, Daniel, 
Conklin, George F., 
Conklin, John, 
Coul, William, 
Cowan, Samuel, 
Crawford, Isaac, 
Croft, William, 

Curry, J. F., 



Age. 

19 

24 
39 
17 
32 
18 
40 
26 
27 
39 
35 
19 
18 

18 



Remarks. 
Deserted July 16, 1863. 

Deserted Jan. 27, 1863. 



Davis, Peter R., 


25 


Depew, Edward L., 


20 


Dyckman, George E., 


21 


Dingee, Silas, 


39 


Durrin, Alonzo, 


19 


Durrin, Samuel, 


25 


Fields, William J., 


22 


Fowler, Solomon, 


18 


Garrison, Milton, 


20 


Gilleo, Nicholas, 


18 


Hallock, Edmund W., 


18 


Hancock, Robert S., 


21 


Harriss, Robert T., 


19 


Hinman, Theodore B., 


17 


Horton, Mills, 


24 


Hubbell, John Q. A., 


18 


Hunt, Albert, 


18 


Hunt, Daniel, 


16 


Kane, John, 


32 


Lamb, William B., 


19 


Lent, John H., 


17 


Lent, John J., 


39 


Leverich, Charles W., 


16 


Mansfield, Richard, 


18 


McChain, Elias G., 


19 


Miller, James H., 


18 


Montross, Abraham, 


19 


Nickerson, John, 


18 


Paulding, Pierre L., 


19 


Purdy, Ezra L., 


23 


Rapp, John C, 


18 



Deserted Jan. 24, 1863. 

Discharged by court order Jan. 27, 

1863. 

Deserted near Harper's Ferry, Va., 

July 16, 1863. 



Discharged Jan. 30, 1863. 
Deserted July 13, 1863. 



Previous service in 19th N. Y. S. M. 



Deserted Jan. 26, 1863. 
Deserted Jan. 26, 1863. 
Deserted Jan. 27, 1863. 

Subsequent service in Sixth New 
York Heavy Artillery. 



Subsequent service In Sixth New 
York Heavy Artillery. 

Deserted Jan. 26, 1863. 
Captured June 5, 1863. Subsequent 
service in Sixth New York Heavy 
Artillery. 



Deserted Feb. 2, 1863. 

Captured June 5, 1863. Subsequent 

service in Sixth New York Heavy 

Artillery. 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



179 



Name. 

Rapp, William, 
Rice, Daniel, 
Rogers, John, 
Seymour, Jesse H., 

Smith, Stephen W., 
Speck, George E., 

Sutton, Joseph, 
Sparks, James, 
Tice, George, 

Tompkins, Robert, 
Travis, Nathaniel J., 

Tuttle, Wm. Theodore, 
Valentine, Charles, 
Valentine, John, 
Valentine, Pierre (V. C), 
Valentine, William, 
Ward, James C., 
Williams, Benjamin F., 
Williams, Gilbert H., 



Age. 

41 
47 
27 
33 

17 
19 

22 
23 

20 

18 
17 

24 
19 
28 

36 
19 
24 
18 



The foregoing regiment was, with 
the exception of the commissioned 
officers, mustered into the service 
of the United States, Jan. 23, 1863, 
at Newburgh, Orange County, N. Y. 
The regiment left the state under 
the command of Col. Wm. R. Brown 
Feb. 12, 1863; it served at York- 
town, Va., in Busteed's Brigade, 
First Division, Fourth Corps, from 
Feb., 1863; in King's Brigade, same 
division and corps, from April, 1863; 
in the 22d Corps from June, 1863; 
in the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 11th 
Corps, from July, 1863; and, com- 
manded by Colonel Brown, it was 
honorably discharged and mustered 



Remarks. 



Died Aug. 2, 1863, at Stanton Hos- 
pital, Washington, D. C. 

Discharged for disability Feb. 12, 
1863, at New York City. 



Died of disease at Yorktown, Va., 
April 25, 1863. 

Subsequent service in Sixth New 
York Heavy Artillery. 



Deserted July 16, 1863. 
Deserted July 16, 1863. 



out Oct. 31, 1863, at Newburgh, N. Y. 

During its service the regiment 
last by death, killed in action, one 
enlisted man; of disease and other 
causes, one officer, 36 enlisted men; 
aggregate, 38; and it took part in 
the following engagements: 

Walkerton, Va., May 28, and June 
5, and at Yorktown, Va., June 9, 
1863. 

The majority of the men enlisted 
in the service of the state from as 
early as Sept. 23, 1862, and drew 
pay from the State of New York 
from the date of their original en- 
rollment to Jan. 31, 1863. 



180 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



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182 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 












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bJO 


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d 


H 


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tJ 


d 


'Z 




C53 




d 
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02 


d 

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o 






a 

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■ U) 

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crT 

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CM 

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oT 

d 


1 

CD 






;ti 


CD ft 


4-J 


<D 


CD 

a 


a 


g; 


tS 


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d 


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pri 


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> 


M 


^ 


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o 
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02 


t^ CO 
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d 
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d 
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H 


o 

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02 
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o 
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> 
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a 

o 

02 




> 


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H 


02 


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cc 

+-> 

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a 




03 O 
03 O 


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d 

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§ ^^ 






ni cs o 02 

CO u >» tni 

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a) •" 03 o 

5 CD CD 02 
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: -!± . cs o 

P( J2 IJ 

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a 

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d 


1 

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d 


1 

o 




^ 


p< 


f-4 


.. 


a 


03 


5 


"3 


o 


(D 




d 


1-t 

d 


a 


CO 


o 


c3 


00 




(h 


U 



cS 



^ ^ O'S 

r1 "d -^ 
S CD 

- !3 ^ o 

d o iS 

d .2 ^ 2 

^Qo5 



^ 'C > 



a^- 

cS CO 
en CO 

.a" 



CD a 

a Ph 



o S5 



ffl 



p< 

CIS 

o 



-o d 
d — 

c3 



•22 a 



r 03 

> o3 



d g a 'o 

<i> ^. ri V 

- Sp:5 > 



S CD O 

w S d 

+j d d 

d d -^ 

d ^" 02 

rH CC >H !? 



d 

^^ 
d o 
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Pi ^ 
+-> 

■^ a o 
a o . 

hJ <M Z 



,2 


d 
o 


_02 


5 


U 


3 


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S 




Q 


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d 

d 


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d 


d 


^ 


,P 


1 


^J 






tJ) 


Pi 


Pi 








s 


O 


O 


m 


Q 


O 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



183 



s a 

CO o 



o • 



6 ;; w ^ -o ^ 



CO A 



s-^l is 






O) 



" Pi - 



a> 



■<-> 3 



02 :3 +J 00 

^ -i^ -i. >> 



1=1 ° 



fl o rt 
o t- 



a S 2^ 9 



S 



Pi '*^ 

> ^ 
^ P 



O 



02 S- 



O S M 



g .2 cc fa 



t~ .A lA 



n 



ClJ O) 

^ a 

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' d 



,-T c« 



d 


d 




a> 


3 


t-i 


Q 


•-3 


C3 


>. 

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>h' 


O 










^ 


d 


02 






■-3 


a 


a 

02 



02 02 

^ . J . 

02 i:r> M CO 
CO 



C3 O 



i^ CO v^ 

Q th Q 



02 

d '==' 



02 to 
02 S 

02 .-H 



CD 
CO 



Q 



55 
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^i 



M 



C<1 (M (N M (M 

>>>>>>>>>> 

c^ c^ cd cd C^ 

g s s s s 






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00 00 00 

1— 1 T-1 _j 



CS rt cS 



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N 



rt 




^ 


.^ 


o 


•— < 




H 


d 




rf 


+j 






'S 


02 


3 




Sffl 



d f^ -o ^ 

02 02 t-c d 

3 bc;ii o 

d d oT 12 

'bc -^ rt > 



c3 



O O Q H W 



d 

rd 
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d" 
o 



^ >. 



d P^ 

hM 02 






« 1^ ° a i^ 

O Ph M M H 



184 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



5 ^ 



M 






1^ 



cu <) 



72 >* 



5 ''•^ OS 

c ^ w 

t> fl cd 

cu ri o 

a> 4J -t; 

a 'a 



^H bfi !z! 

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s ^ s 

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u 

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d o 
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as 
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fa 



CO <D 

00 "^ 
tH - 

10 o 

tH o 

o§ 
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ft 

qK 
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I m o ' <v 



>> CO 

53 ^^ M 

^ >g ^ 



^ o ^ 






.2 O 



;::; ^ " (- ;^ tu li^ 

•—! Tr ni (-1 rr^ _rH TT 






a 



ha' 

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o 



cj 1-3 



5 a a> 



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M) T-l 



Ti -^ ^ 

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6 



:;3 pq >.<i3 

O) 

tM • r— I 

O 111 ^ >> 



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o oj i- --^ c! 



O ^ o 

O -kJ .— 1 

pq 1::; 



>> m OJ rt 



<B cl o 

^ 'S 



bc '-: 

d 3 T3 
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p i-, o 

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1-1 CD . 
d-Sl 

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d (D 



d 02 



> ^ > 

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OJ CQ 

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d S-. 
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tH CO O 

>, O CD 

d r*! " p, 

M tC g 

f- d k£< 



u bi O 
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d ° ^ 

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o . u 

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ft ^ 
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^ .2 -c « ^ -g . 



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tw 03 - 

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s s ^ ^ 

g o s i 

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2 £ S [2 

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^ ^ "^ 

03 (u a 

'd d PI 

d cu g 



03 



d nj 
ft 



S tw 



o 



J 'd >> 

'* d :=; 

w oj d o3 ; 

-^ CO „ -f 

d "2 5; 

o o g a 

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d +^ o d 

^ CD ^ .2 



>. d 

d 'd 

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cS be 

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m •- :p .d 
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p:: -o S 



o ^ 

bfi cp o ^ 

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a ^ 

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"3 " '^ 

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CO -H 5 

^ o .t: 

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ft <D 2 

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o o d 



a; ^- o 

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d 
g 

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d I-, 



■tn CO • 

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d 


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a> 


d 


s 


d 


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2 


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-t-j 


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d 


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d 


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d CO -a 



oS 



d d 03 
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CO cj K- 



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> Ph Q Ph 



ft CO 

ft u 

d r' 



P d 



CO 



d ft 

Q CD .to 

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d -^ ^ 

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ftH ^ § 

d "cl, !- 

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d L 

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d c» 



(h +-■ d -^ d O tH 



d pq 



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d •-' t-j 
be b <1 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



185 



(D 0) 
> CI 



« 



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02 






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^ 


M 

tf 
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i-< u 


H 




o rt 


z; 


3 


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t3 


o 


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i-q 




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o 




s f- 
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> 


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01 


^■^ 


« 


3 


?a ::: 


O 


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>H 




t< 3 


1 






d 


T) '? 


2 


;h 


i=i ir. 




0) 


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ffi 


CO 




H 


3 


CP >> 

be S-. 




§ 


aS <53 


CM 




> 


o 




m 

1 






>H 


Q 




H 




^ X 


fc 




— H d 






3 


fe 


< 


a> tH 






^ 0) 






^^ 






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^ o 






,d 






s^ ^ 






o 






r-" A 






:;2 >> 






o ::: 






si 







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a< 






oi 






u 




M 




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a 




OS 


a 


o ;2 


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f: eS Q^ 

1-1 3 

2 23 1^ 



ffi 



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a 

OS 


3 


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3 
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J 



tf 



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o 



w ^ 



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tf 



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03 
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<ICI 






CO 


a; "^ 




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>> 

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.. 


krH 


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05 


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d d 

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.a 
bo 







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d 

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5! 


(4-1 




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d O 
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CD 


rt 









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03 
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5 5 OH 





4-2 

c3 


bfi 

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w 


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.fcj 


QJ 


a 


3 


a 


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c4 


03 


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2 


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A 




bfi 








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d 
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<u 


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15 


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r^ 


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CS Q 


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M 


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186 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 






;,0 S'- ^-t;^ OU-^-4J^ 



<^ r ^ fl 



S =2 ?s ^ . o ^ > P .0) ?S -S ., -5 5 5 



O 0) 



a 






tCM 3a-M^Pc£>Sorft^C)P;--_jFOoS':ooc^ PS -too S 



sw 


TS 


M 


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0) 







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u. 


CO 


.^ 





a 





oi 


ct-i 


CO 




a 



03 


T-H 


„ 


fl 




CO 



a r 



<1 



fc 






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3 


,C3 


^ 


bO 


03 


•I-) 


s:i 




3 







•rH 




ffi 


3 


tS 


so 




P 


0) 

a 

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1-5 


03 


'S 








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+j 


3 


P4 

03 


CQ 


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U 


fe 



ffi 






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3 


rt 

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pq 







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1-5 






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03 


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a 


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FROM 1609 TO 1870. 187 



i-S^ ^ .S -I la\.-P?^ = S^ "^ --S -S 

•^ ri "^ .iS ,• 3 "^ t^ r- G /^ ^ d ■■■ cj ^-^ o) ., "^ rV! n -L . t-i ,?-: 



in t 






o 



CO ^ 



a 

S 
o 

O 



^ 






bo 
d 


j3* 




c3 


•3 


n 


9 


(4 


CS 




Oh M 


J W 


09 


in 


OJ 


(i> 


a a 


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cS 


i-s 


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^j 


P. 


A 


a 


Ri 


00 



ffi 



qJ fl i I » » \ ft Sc .2 

a ^ "^ ^ 



IJ-t 


a 


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1 


^ 


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ft 


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0) 


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09 


;h 





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188 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 









ft T3 g 









to 03 



►~:aroosai +J "02 = 
^ 3 S d ih^^-, ^ rT S "^ g » i LO ,0 tH Lo P OS ^ ^ !-; ^- ^ 2 ^ ^ > 5 ^ 






c8 g 

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as 




> 


^ 


^ 




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Ei 


U 


rf 


X3 








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< 


ft 


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Ph 


^ 




fl 






ft 


+j 


^ 


CQ 





C3 





<J 










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S 


Ul 





rt 


<D 


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.a 


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;_ 


H 


■^ 


03 



>^ 


„ 




(U 


C 
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W* 


3 


C 


ei3 









u 



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FROM 1609 TO 1870. 189 






5* • >f^ X o.- « ° '^ ^ >. '^ °° a "^ - ^ . O ^ ^5 "S 






c^ S ^ 



^ ti -s -a 6J3 Si ■ " -c o,!' 9 ^ • ' "O '^ ■ - ^ .9 hj' ^ ^" "^ =2 ■« ''fi ''^ *- 

r S z ^ ^ -r S ^ lo rt p g r?: Lo ^ ^ lo" •- r; ,3^ £: ^ 5 "S ^ '^ =^ r ^ !: c? 







• _• -# CO 

S S ^ S2 




CO 


oo oo ^ '-< 


CO 


T-H 


,-( ^ ^ - 


d 




00 


g 


^'' 


^- o cT <^ 




T-H 


r-t Oi Oi ^ 


4-1 
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6 


. ■ ■ o 

y > > !h 


o 


o 


d) o o « 


cS 


Q 


O 2 2 S 


p 






6 


<J3 


«D (M Tf Irt 


iH 


CO ■* C^ CO 



fc PP gH, Iz; i-s I-,!-, 



o c 



a 



d H 



-— 'S'd -'a y^ - <^ '^ 

s ■? S « 9 P a .22 t 5 ^ d ^ 



o ^ 



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Ci 


rt 


P P 


t^ 


O 







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J 


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ra 


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05 ;z; 


s 


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« .a 


d 


a 


2 .^ 


S 




^ o 


o 


d 


O Ci 


W 


M 



190 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



o.a 












V. > 



M 


0) 


tn 


M 


cd 








M 


OJ 




3 


Q 


C 



^ • ^ 
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> 


CO 


iH 







CO 









CO 


„ 




+J 


^ 


t~ 


>i 






1— 1 


+j 










CO 


t-^ 




.T^ 


<£> 


(M 


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.Q 


C(0 




a 


cS 


^ 


>■. 





w 






CO 




l£J 


3 




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C<l 


1-3 







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Si 



H, o 









03 

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oar: 

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a ^ < 

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ft --2 

S .- ^ 

S > G3 

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aK !4 <J Q ;i; 



ft S-, 



o .2 Ml 



CO Pi .2 5 






- - Oh 
O "^ 

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o m 



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P == 



>i IN 

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fl --I 



<j f^ co" 
1-1 
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ft O .rt 
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O "^ !-i 

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to o 

00 £; 





S 


ft 


to 


^ 


fl 


Q 


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fl 







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to 




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i3 CQ 



O ^ 
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CC "5 



03 ft !" 

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m 



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fl .. 

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CC ,H 



bD 



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to to 




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h 




>> 




fl 




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a 







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to (X> 

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fl ^ 

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fl 



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O t3 

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fl 03 

a> o3 

a w 



r-3 q; (p 
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^71 



p a 



(V CS 

fl ^ 

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=1-1 -a ^ 3 

o 0) c< 

:7; 02 cp 

^ ff? !-H 1- 

rft ^73 

a t? a ■ 

s " 3 

fl r^ fl 

fl i3 iH 



o3 CO 

ei_i fl 

o o 



=3 2 fl 



> 03 

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^^ 



fl cS 



fl . q-i 

oi 03 a> 

ft .ti "^ 

a =3 -^^ 



o 



<v ^ 



fl o q; „ 

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03 



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tn to 
03 CO 

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C>0 03 

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0) 



■4-> O O 



ft -^ 
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fl 
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ii '^ M ^ 

— TO , — I 

a§ 



13 9i 

cj oc O) 



a> CC bjj to 

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S -a <i '-I 

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J :;:3 ^ 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



191 






O ^ S 
o a ; 

o « 



o -o 



S5 



<^' >, a 

r- CD Ih 

C fl a) 



' =" -^ Si 

: - cS 

; re _a; d; 

' -Q S -^^ 



i- 



^ _5 r^ '^ ^^ — H 

C cd OX] C '3 > >- 

c o r- q CD —: i, 



CO q; cS 



gn 






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O C 



2 1S ^ 



2 ^ 



"3 "^ 






a -x: 



3 

o 






<! 
•2> 



o ^ 



cS O 

o 



3 ::: cd 
.S tf W W 



Q lo" >»^ 



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■^ rt 






=2 c3 



CO 



1 ™ ^, X! 



(M 



9 .- o 

1-5 C-O O 

CD ^ 

_^ OO CO 

2^ a 



a-J3 



T-j J-. 



O O 

Q 



a> 



CO a; •- ^ 

ti CO S -^ 
rt oo cd 



c! o X3 

Oi rt •- 
bJ3 +j ^ 



0) CS GO 
CO ,Q 



tH O CO 



c3 


rt 


a 


Ph 


m 


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fc£ 


o 

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. 


;> 


ci 


3 


> 


;a 


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CO 




of 

CO 






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^ 






CO 


OJ 






TJ 



H :S -^ 

^ t^ ^ 

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O ^ <^5 



as 



CO CO 

CD CO . . 
CO O t_ 



tj ^ a § 
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^"^ « ^ 

g cs o 

■ .. o =3 
CO ±i K 
eg "a 

■ - ^ CO 

"^ 5 'l 



o ^ '^ 

^ 5 CO 

o Pl « 



O) 



« 






O! j3 •* 






■* 


CO 


TO C£> 


U 


d 


2 


1 
CO 


r-t 


t> CO 


> 


o3 
c3 


o 
o 






2^" 


cd 




CO 



^ m 



<J eg 

co" oi ^'^ 

S 3 - 

'S <5i '^ 

.s cc O 



•-^ eg ^ 

a S g 

CO oS ^ 

,-( a CD 

- a^ 

uo U O 



a >■ 

o ^ 



55 ^ 



CD 






Ph O ^ 



<| CO 

co-^ 

^^ 

o 

C 
-a c3 
C . 
O ^" 
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O rt 



CO E 

a 



.- oi CO 

> ofl ^ 

3 !^ <u 

r o c/2 



-o o 

?^ 03 ?^ 



M be 



a-s^ 



us O 



t. (B G 






3<^ 



^ 03 



CO »r-l 

•S fl o3 



C "* "C 

3 - C! 

CO -a > 

t-. r< fS 

o g e 

^ ^ S 



CD ra 



fe h. 






O "C '2 



""^ =s 2 o S 

•^ t-< "-^ Jr CO 

> S -o O .-I 



3 ^ 
Q "S " 

ft < 



<y to "5 



CS <D 

b£ Q 



O ^ .2 



-o bc ^ i3 
CU 03 > r2; 



^ 



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c 




a 


d 
ft 


d 


H 


a 


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0) 


tD 


Q 









CO 

3 


1 




§ 


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tt-i 


H 







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0) 







03 


fc 






o5 

Ml 
< 



m 






s 



a 
ft 

a (m' 

O CD 

O «3 



192 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



X! fa 






rj 00 



m « 









6 i; 



1^' .X3 

CO (3 



5 d 



3 d 

1-3 . 0) 



o § 



02 -g 



a w ^ o ^ .^ -a 



OJ 






= o o '2 



0) r-i 
PI d 



K 



-« > 



d o 
o . 



P! CO 



C 2. 



M "O q; 



M eg K; 



g Q -^ > 





o 


S 


O 


'5 


u 


c3 








fl 


^ 


.2 






s 


<D 


'E 






Eh 


,2 


M 

d 


^ 



o 



o 


^ 


<*-! 
C 


0. 


o 


03 




Q^ 


X2 


o 


Ct— 1 


;-i 


o 


o 


o 


£-1 


O, 


>. 


-u 






^ 


c^ 


^ 


M 




rfl 



^'S 



03 ^H 

ft 3 

§ O 



1 


>, 






4-> 




-u 




0) 


> 




" 


o 


<B 


oi 


fl 




03 




5J 


a 


rt 


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c3 

t-5 


02 




03 


o3 O 

a p] 


CO 

to 

oo 

rH 


T3 
O 

CO 


CQ 






p< 


S 


. 


CO 


•^ 


CO 

T-l 

as 


2^" 




a 

o 

o 


o 


IS 

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a 
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1— 1 
1-3 




bi 
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s 






o 

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CC 


o 
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03 


o 


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t- 




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^^ 


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03 

CO 




S 


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0) 


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p 


tH 


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03 


o 


o 


5 


c? 


<: 


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-a 


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^ 


fa 







3 




CD 


El 




o 




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rH 


fa 








N 


2: 




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CO 




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»— 1 


•• ' 




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§ 






2 










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a 
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d 






H 


a 


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2 


o 
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CO 


r-i 

to 

GO 






cc 


iH 


rH 


H 




13 


r-T 


tH 


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IM 


M 






O 


Ml 


bh 




q; 


3 


3 


o 

fa 




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be 
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bfl bJD 



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PI 
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a 

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to o 

CO Q 



bXI 

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ft 
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O 



o .2 

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s 


0) 


J^ 


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fa 


cu 


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CO 



Q 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



193 



>* o 

S 

01 



CO ty Sh 

. •- s 

ft ^ Jh 

- O CO p, 



S o 



':;^ -^ ^ 

re cj CD 

S '-' 

ft 






CO 



0) 



p3 CO ft Pi 

2 ^ a 

g +J O H-j 

5:; CO o 

ft t- _ 



«C 



a 









; - -O ' W 






re o-j 



CO Q) 



T3 S --3 O" (U Ig 'C .? S <1^ ^ 

■Mr~!H (jS°2'^ft coH 

- ^ p . -73 T-^ „ ^- :j=: Js 



>» d oj CO 

ft P -a a, — 
S « ' 
- o 
O 



03 



CO , (TO 00 



ca GO 



>■ CO 



ft-o til 



a> 



0) 



H 



^ -s .2 § fe r 

o I' 



C^ tH Ph 



top 

ft O 

•a " 

O . , 






s^ 



"3 d 



ii "S r^ h^ CO 

os <s e ^ 

c! a; " 03 03 . 

.S bC £-1 ft -S th 



CO :— Si 

^ Pi «" 



02 j:; 



. S ^ S 22 CO 

o iS " i ft t- 02 

o «i-i .2 s-T 

O O ■ ' '^ 



CO o 22 '^ 



p 









CO 



c-2 



a 



Oi P) 



ft s 

S c .:: 

o a ^ bjo 

o •" *^ 

"O o 






p: 

a c fe 

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tn CD dJ 
ft M) > 



.2 fl 

'S.2 



>.« o . 
pi - <^ u 
a ^ CD 

S ^ ^ M 

O <:d ^ ►?! 

5 ft 2^ 
S pi , 

i=! O -Jf -tj 

.-< r-, ft "5 



o ^ o 



53 S 



■? i g « 5 ^ s -g 

S 2 > '^ rt '^ V 
03 i^ .r- CG iS rt t> i' 



■r' CO 



C3 



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_ow ;:, ^ 



- „ Qj CO a 

'■^ ^ •'^ u^ 1^ rip- J:; t< C3oo«-i ;;; (tj+joo 



03 5? 



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bfl 

<! 



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pi 



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3 
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194 FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



■X3 • oo 









'oi^^S i-o^^^g icon's s'S^- "ScM 

I S|§l al§"> 5||i. li-g-. ^ o § ^ H 

ft-^'gw) ^-fc^L ^§-^ :55^^ g u^^ g § 

S ^ fe •;::: ^ r^ .§ S r° 2 r9 r'-' ° <>° -^ ^ ^ fe r ^ ^ i^ kJ - M 03 



W O It" M 
O oo O O GO y CO 



H 


1 


k 


>. 




>, 


pl 




!=1 


rt 




ci 


ft 




P< 



o 
03 


be 

< 


< 


P 






<1 




<M 



be be bfl X2 d 

5 5 5 r*" S 











a 


Q 


cS 












■^ 


be 


•t 


CS 


13 




q; 


rt 


^ 


O 


O 



^ 13 0) cS 



o <j 



g .S § 

CO W m 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



195 



X 





-a 


w 





^ 


a 


t. 






m 






s 




»v 


to 


.-u 


o 




o 



O fl > 



4J M >i 



m 
2 M t- 

O I- (D 



a) ™ S 

r^ s- •- S 

O o Tj* «- 

^ ft C£> H 

<B O tH 

S _ i-H O 



„ o 



•si CO 

•2 -^ 



O 



a t^ 



to =2 
o 

=* Ml 
0-3 Si 

C/O ^ 

to 



03 

^d 

ii. s- 
o 1=1 - 

-1 ft tH ^ 

=* 03 S c/0 

ffi O ^ ■rH 



I- a> ^ 

00 -2 "^ 
O ft 

•-3 >> 



- u 



H is 



CO to 

6 .2 ii 

o ^ ^ 

CM (^ 

"^ r-l -^ 

^, QJ « 
►^ &D . 

to 2 CO 



o 



H Q 



03 '^ 



5 "^ 
O 00 

rH 
£ rH 



« 



S3 
c3 
ft 

S 
O 



S K 



ft 



o 






O CO 



>H 






Pi 






H 






Z 






<1 






fc 






Z 






'"' 


cq 




>^" 






z 


>> 

d 






ft 

s 


CO 


o 


o 


«) 


o 


o 


r-l 


H 




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M 




0-5 


>^ 






&H 




<P 


X 




3 



o 



Pi 

a . 

O T-H 

O '-^ 

CO 



z 



03 
ft 

S rH* 

O CO 






6 
a 



a 

a 

o 
>. 

Q 



O 



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fe 



o 



19G 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



OJ CO 






K 






. to 



"S 9 '^ 
■ . o u 

S <2 



g M *" ^ 

.2 o 



.Ho -^ 
b --I i-H 

o S o ^|-=5§ 
=w 5 '*-' • OJ y X 

-a fc 'C 

J3 =^ !3 

O 00 O (M := (M .lii *^ 
CO o CO o O o ^^ 

■;::; oo "z; oo t> CO fl o 



bJD 



c/0 



3 ^i" .2 t^ M^- 

o o ^^ cr> 



rr-l =^1 

<4-l 5 
CO 1-3 

Hi2 



o 






CD 



(H S o 
1 CO S 

op!,:; 



cS 



jH cS cS 

O C3 

5 a CO T-T 

a f^ e; ^ op 

-a • -tf S >> 

5 CO =* S ti 



\ «^ 



o 

g 

o , . 

P-t !^ est (V 



a 



o 






CO 

bXi 

<! 



^ 
a 



c3 



-a 



lO w 






to 

CO 



!t-l 



-a CO H H ^ 



03 Jh 

•rt CO 

"O 03 r-i 

r-i ■"* O 
^ CO 



2 CO 



,-! OJ o-i CO 

> o t-" <sf s" ^ -2 

« tH Sh ^ a2 Ih O 

f> (U a) '-' r-j rQ (X) 

-g o M i=: Q 



Eh 



a; 
O rO 



.ScotHHT^tHiD^-t;^ 

'Ci03cO>siHCO ca 

2S W^ 5?^ t^^H^QHSftW 



CO 



r-i '^ 



rH 55 



o © 



0) 


1-5 


o3 

1-5 


1-5 


Q 








6 

<5J 


CO 




CO 



Q 0) 


O) 


C PI 


fl 


p s 


p 


1-5 1-3 


1-5 



g 


^j' 


J2 


cS 


s 


o 


<U 


2; 


a 


, 


_ 




c! 


CO 


CO 




a> 


0) 


(U 




> 


>> 


>> 




cS 


o3 


o3 




Q 


ffi 


ffi 



^ 


a 






P< 


"o 


o 


I-: 


"w 




p 


t^ 


« 




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a> 


o 


g 










fc 


ffi 



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03 


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^ 


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>> 


>> 


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03 




0) 


C 


'n ^*' 




o 





w 



go 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



197 






S 

CI 



be . 



u <» 



<A 



C« ^ S 

-a -o .fl 



-a 

u 
o 









-2^ 

=^ ^ 43 CO ^ 

o ■*j •*-) 1— 1 1— I 



CO >H •-; 

S ^ ^ -2 

"^ S^ "=• '-3 

'^ '^ "5^ -^ 



o .a 



1-5 

'=' o 
o *^ 



-a o 



CD to 

S 5 



O CO 



to to 



oc 



• H 



ro 00 |_| oo 



^Q 






CO 02 CS 

o a> !-, 
Q P H 






<» . o 
CO rt tH 



cS 



<u 



to rz; 

_^j O £! 

O .2 

- g ^ 



-art 

bj] ■-' 

5 "^ S S o ^ =S 

.— • ., ._H irj __ =M -C 
tO<;Dt^t5tt'''1!Oo 
OrH a2>(_lfcOi-H 



m 



s 


:: 


g 


fa 




>> 




(H 




rt 


d 


G 



1=1 

a 

o 
U 



w 



a . 

O M 



bo 



3 o <D 
<3 O 02 



bO 



::: >« 






MS 



Ki to 



O 



198 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 





O <^^ 








O csj 
















3 








t3 •-» 








0) 








t-r 








t; >. 








0) t- 








51-1 +J 








M ri 






03 

M 


d cS 






cS tl 






1^ 








cS 








a 


r rj 






a> 


CS +J 






« 


m 








-u '^ 


■^' 






+J 


?o 






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00 

7-1 


>^ 


4-> 






tf 


o 






2: 


TS 






<1 


<v 






fo 


0) 






z 



g P* 00 



zS CD '^ 

(rq 00 Q^ 



^ _o > 

cu ^ aT 
<^ r-i cu 



o 









P 



GO . 



C! 


c3 


rt 




C 


'O 


a> 


(D 


3 


0) 


Q 




J 


02 

3 






-*-> 


S 



^ m hm 



o ^ 



S a 

O rt 

o O 

EC X3 

<3 03 





>> 




is 


i=l 






cS 




ffi 


P. 




H 


3 
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^*i 


fc 


CO 


fa 




tH 


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oT 


H 




tH 


H 




C3 


•z 




(U 



o 



OS 

I - 

O CO 

O 00 



k 



O 



•^ ■* (M lO 
C£) «Ci CO «> 
CO CO 00 OO 



^ LO O lO 
^ <?^ rH 

a> o) ^h' 
d Pi d =2 

Q ^^ 



CO 0-5 O M 
iH O 00 CD 



^i ^- ^ rn- 

03 . • . 

r-< Sh t- O 

3 rt Oj OJ 

t^S g P 



^ ^ o 



f^ ^- 



o 

^ 2 
o o 



fi <^ 



Q, CD bJD 
" OO 03 . 
n 7— I I— I 



O _r 



aco ^ 



g3 Ph 



QJ M CD ^ 

be «< bC K 



bD 



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> 


m 


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1-5 fa 


bJO 


OJ 




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o 

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3 3 


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3 






03 


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M 


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A 


L4 


o o 


cS 




03 03 


O 


fa 


02 m 



fa M 



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FROM 1609 TO 1870. 199 






:::3 T-T CO 13 O 





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p< 




-3 


0) 




<m" 


Cv^ 




,—1 


u 


•^ 


00 


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Lh 




(M 


M 




9 


u 


00 


tH 


ca 






a> 


dJ 




m 


<B 


1-H 


rH 


-a 


et-i 
CO 




cl 


PI 






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, 


<M 


^ 


3 




s 


S 




=1-1 


;-! 


'^l 




o 


cS 




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1-5 




o 


3 


T-l 

>> 


CO 

3 




tH 


lO 








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o 


3 


be 
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OS 


co" 

CP 


CO 
GO 
1— 1 


03 


03 

o 




X3 


o 


2 


3 


> 


rt 

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2 
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3 




00 


o 


pi 
pi 


o 


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o 

oi 


-a 
a 

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a 
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a 

to 


CO 

3 
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CO 
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3 
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Q 



5oSa; a> ^_uS?. S^^30 S^rnPrf-* <i>-^CQt.^-; stl'S 



P3 Sh cj J5 3 "-^ 

crtcfi.^'^S^ ►^.^cU'lI^'' "*<— (►^j2'J '*',hq;>-' ■ "^ ro+j.^co 'h"^^- 
gp.MQ2P ^53§<lP^2^«UP4.S3UOQOrtZSHS!^ 



^ ° ^ 3 0^ ° 



<3 



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C<l 


CD 





CO 


to 


OO 


00 


rH 


00 


tH 


tH 




rH 


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c-i 


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00 


(M 


CO 


3" 


jj 


d 


xi 


03 
t-5 


1-5 





iH ** 



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3 




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03 .> 


K 


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CO 

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J 






03 


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d 


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ca 





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ca 



H H 



200 



FROM 1609 TO 1870 



So 
. o 

en Q 



a 

.2 c^- 

^> 

.S 3 

3 3 



03 " 
? O 

a o 
o 
O o 

o -a 



iM CO "^ 
O ^O <X> 
CO 00 rH 



So 



PQCO 
C_) 03 rH 05 <NI 



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-o 


CO 


_a) 




o 


^ 


P< 


O 


.. 


_o 


d 


y 


> 


03 




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3 


""' 


ff! 


-O 




QJ 


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^H 




S 


^ 




m 



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03 _0 

|.2 g 

O 03 ^ 

_ Pi Vi 



S §ffi 



■^ o 



o3 +j 
O 03 



P ^H 

m 2 



QJ 02 
CO U< 

CU oj 



o 3 



o o , 



C-1 

o oo 

fl CD 





to 


03 


0) 


"cd 


PI 
a; 


>i 




^ 


CO 


0) 


> 


-a 


g 


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a; 




O 


CD 




<i) 




5 





o3 OS 



« 



U 3 S 'O 



o t: S 

17 cc ■;:; o3 



"3 S .S 

2 o J;; 



o^ 






■3 >^ 

PI ^ 

3h o3 

Pi E^ h-i 

■? o 



_2 -c -u - o 



go 
S.S 

O rj 

03 



03 O 



ffi 



O Pi 



■w '^ 



O ^1 



?^ ^ 



"^0)0 0) 



«^ o o 



P< ;^ o3 Pi -M 









2 r4 



fc O 



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PQ 



q3 

a 


03 
m 


(^ 


S 


^ 


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^S" 








"o 




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m 





p 




bjj 


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FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



201 



The following named officers and 
enlisted men, served in the various 
commands, as herein noted. 

In the Ninty-First N. Y. Vols, pri- 
vates James Conklin, age 19, Co. "B" 
from February 28, 1865 to July 7, 
1865. William Mason, age 37, Co. "C" 
from September 5, 1864 to June 13, 
1865. George H. Smith, age 32, Co. 
"C" from September 26, 1864 to June 
10, 1865. 

In the One Hundred and Twenty- 
Fourth N. Y. Vols., Charles Cable, age 
16, Co. "G" from August 11, 1862 to 
June 26, 1865. 

One Hundred and Forty-Third N Y. 
Vols., private Orrin Travis, age 28, 
Co. "B" from September 15, 1864 to 
June 10, 1865. 

Second N. Y. Heavy Artillery, Cor- 
poral Frederick B. Dyckman, Go's. "K" 
and "C" from November 12, 1861 to 
June 27, 1865, having re-enlisted as 
a veteran, November 24, 1863. 

One Hundred and Thirty-Ninth N. 
Y. Vols., Sergeant Cornelius Van 
Horn, age 24, Co. "K" from August 
25, 1862 to June 5, 1865. Wounded in 
action September 29, 1864, at Chaf- 
fin's Farm, Va. 



SEVENTY-FIRST N. Y. S. M. 
George W. Robertson, age 22, en- 
listed as a private in Capt. Geo. W. 
Quintard's Company of Engineers, 
April 20, 1861, and was mustered into 
service May 3, 1861, for three months. 
This regiment served at and near 
Washington, D. C, in the 2d Brigade, 
2d Division, Army of Northeastern 
Virginia. On July 21, 1861, during the 
battle first Bull Run, this command 
deported itself with great gallantry, 
as its severe loss in this engagement, 
attests. It sustained a loss of one 
oflicer and eleven enlisted men killed; 
died of wounds received in action, one 
officer and one enlisted man; wound- 
ed and recovered, three officers and 
thirty-four men; captured, one officer 
and eleven men; died of disease, one 
officer and four enlisted men. The 
regiment was mustered out of service 
July 30, 1861. May 2Sth, 1862, the 71st 



was again mustered into the U. S. 
service, for three months. It served 
during its term, in the defences of 
Washington, and was mustered out 
September 2, 1862. It also served 
from June 17th to July 22d, 1863, 
during the Gettysburgh, campaign, 
with headquarters in the neighbor- 
hood of Harrisburg, Pa. In the in- 
terim between his first and second 
terms of service. Private Robertson 
was elected first lieutenant of Com- 
pany "B", of which his life time friend, 
Joseph Forbes, was captain. 

THIRTEENTH N. Y. S. M. 
Private, Eber A. Conklin, age 22, 
April 23, 1861, Co. "H" served at 
Annapolis and Baltimore, Md., and was 
mustered out August 6, 1861. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY- 
THIRD N. Y. VOLS. 
Private, Henry R. Forman, age 43, 
Co. "C" September, 1862. Died, July 
8, 1863, at Baton Rouge, La. 

Private Cornelius Demarest, age 41, 
Co. "D" September 24, 1862. Muster- 
ed out July 22, 1865, at New York 
city. 



SECOND N. Y. MOUNTED RIFLES. 

Jefferson Dyckman, age 21, muster- 
ed in as private, Co. "M" November 
5, 1861, re-enlisted in 1863, and 
mustered out August 9, 1865. Jeffer- 
son Conklin, age 22, mustered in as 
private of Co. "M" December 16, 1863, 
and mustered out August 9, 1865. 

Fourth N. Y. Provisional Cavalry, 
private, George W. Gilleo, age 22, 
December 12, 1863, in Co. "A" Six- 
teenth N. Y. Heavy Artillery; trans- 
ferred to Co. "M" First Mounted 
Rifles, May 26, 1864; designation of 
regiment changed to Fourth Provis- 
ional Cavalry, September 6, 1865, 
mustered out with company, Novem- 
ber 26, 1865, at City Point, Va. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIFTH 
N. Y. INFANTRY. 
The town of Cortlandt was well rep- 
resented in this gallant regiment by 



202 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



Lieut. James Stevenson Van Cort- 
landt, who was commissioned Dec. 5, 

1862, with ranli from Nov. 8, 1862. The 
regiment left the state Nov. 10, 1862, 
and was mustered into the United 
States service for three years Nov. 
17, and 18 following, at Newport 
News, Va. It was assigned to Cor- 
coran's Brigade, Peck's Division. 
From December, 1862, it served Cor- 
coran's, later Murphy's Brigade, 
Peck's, later Corcoran's Division, Di- 
vision 7th Corps. From January, 

1863, in 1st Brigade, King's Division, 
22d Corps, from July 16, 1863, in 2d 
Brigade, Tyler's Division, 22d Corps, 
from January, 1864; in 4th Brigade, 
2d Division, 2d Corps, Lieut. Van Cort- 
landt took part with his regiment in 
the following affairs and engagements, 
all in Virginia, during 1863: Jan. 30, 
Deserted House; April 11 to May 4, 
Siege of Suffolk; April 13 and 15, 
Edenton Road; June 16, Carrsville; 
Dec. 19, Acotink; 1864: Spottsyl- 
vania Court House, May 16 to 21, be- 
ing very heavily engaged on the 18th 
at the Landron House; North Anna 
River, May 22 to 26; Totopotomoy 
Creek, May 27 to 31; Cold Harbor, 
June 1 to 12. The regiment suffered 
a loss of two officers and 49 enlisted 
men killed or mortally wounded in 
the second assault on that stronghold 
June 3d, making total casualties the 
first twelve days of the month, two 
officers and 50 enlisted men killed 
or mortally wounded, four officers and 
103 enlisted men wounded that recov- 
ered, and five enlisted men missing, a 
total of 164; assault on Petersburg, 
June 15 to 19; Weldon Railroad, June 
21 to 23; Deep Bottom, July 27 to 29; 
Strawberry Plains, Aug. 14 to 18; 
Ream's Station, Aug. 25; Boydton 
Plank Road, Oct. 27 to 28. Oct. 31, 

1864, Van Cortlandt was promoted to 
a first lieutenancy in the Twenty- 
second N. Y. Cavalry. His new com- 
mission was dated Aug. 23, 1864. The 
proverbial red tape always working 
full time, and to the prejudice of the 
officers in the field. The 22d Cavalry 
in October, 1864, was with the Army 



of the Shenandoah. As soon as pos- 
sible. Lieutenant Van Cortlandt re- 
ported for duty. At Nineveh, on Nov. 
12, he crossed sabres with the enemy, 
and again at Rood's Hill the 22d of 
the same month, at the Moorefield 
Pike on the 30th, and at Lacy Springs, 
Dec. 21, which wound up the campaign 
for the year. In February, 1865, the 
22d was assigned to the Army of West 
Virginia. March 4 it had a lively 
skirmish at Holly Springs and two 
slight encounters on March 6 and 7 
at Rood's Hill and New Market. 

Lieutenant Van Cortlandt was re- 
commended for promotion to a cap- 
taincy, but his captain's commission 
did not reach him until too late for 
muster in. He is, however, entitled 
to be addressed by that title, which 
he so honorably and gallantly won. 
It bears date Sept. 18, 1865, with rank 
from Aug. 31, 1865. He, with his 
regiment were mustered out of serv- 
ice at Winchester, Va., Aug. 1, 1865. 

A Mooted Point Settled. 

As much uncertainty exists as to 
the location of the house in which 
our former junior senator for this 
state was born, it is hoped that the 
subjoined letter, in response to a query 
from ex-Sheriff Stephen D. Horton, 
will forever settle all doubts in the 
matter. 

United States Senate, 
Washington, D. C. 
December 18, 1910. 
Stephen D. Horton, Esq., 

26 Water street, Peekskill, N. Y. 
My Dear Sheriff: 

I am in receipt of your letter in re- 
gard to the house where I was born. 
It occupied the site of the St. Paul's 
Methodist Episcopal Church on Main 
street. Soon afterward my father 
built the house in which we always 
lived, and which is called the old 
homestead, next to which is the house 
of his brother Charles. 

Very truly yours, 

Chauncey M. Depew. 
The foregoing letter was postmark- 



FROM 1609 TO 1870. 



203 



ed Dec. 17, 1910, 3 p. m. Received 
Peekskill, Dec. 19, 7 a. m. 

Postcards illustrated with an excel- 
lent picture of the "old homestead" 
mentioned in Senator Depew's letter 
are in circulation, bearing the legend: 
"Birthplace of Chauncey M. Depew," 
which is untrue. His home for many 
years would be truthful and appro- 
priate. 



*THIRTY-NINTH N. Y. INFANTRY. 
Company "E". 
Calvin W. Lounsbury, age 18; must- 
ered in Nov. 23, 1863; captured June 
21, 1864, near Petersburg, Va. No fur- 
ther record. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEC- 
OND REGIMENT. 
Company "K". 
Theodore H. Gallaher, age 22. 
Mustered in Oct. 15, 1862; promoted 
sergeant Sept. 8, 1863; wounded in ac- 
tion at Spottsylvania Court House, 
Va., May 12, 1864. Discharged for dis- 
ability May 1, 1865. 



ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTIETH 
INFANTRY. 

John Higgins, age 38; mustered in 
Oct. 7, 1862, as private in Company 
"H"; mustered out with regiment July 
15, 1865, at Washington, D. C. 

Private Jerome W. Wildey, Company 
"G", 14th Regiment, U. S. Infantry. 
"They Also Serred." 

The late Colonel Frederick Phis- 
terer in his excellent work, "New 
York in the War of the Rebellion" 
(1861 to 1865), says, on page 14: "On 
the 26th of July (1861) three regi- 
ments of colored men to serve during 
the war were tendered to the Govern- 
or, with the assurance that their arms, 
equipments, clothing and pay while 
in the service would be provided by 
the colored population of the state. 
There being no authority to enroll col- 
ored men, the offer had to be declined, 
but this appreciation of the struggle 
before the country, and the loyal spirit 



the offer indicated, deserve to be 
placed on record." 

These names following are of col- 
ored men from this vicinity, who did, 
and dared to take up arms m defense 
of their country and race: 

Sergt. Joshua Crawford, Company 
"E", 54th Mass. Volunteers. 

Corp. Charles B. Aray, Company "F", 
29th Conn. Volunteers. 

Private John W. Knapp, Company 
"B", of same regiment. 

Sergt. Benjamin M. Purdy, Company 
"D", 11th U. S. Heavy Artillery, form- 
erly 14th R. I. Heavy Artillery. 

Sergt. Henry A. Aray, Company "G", 
20th U. S. Colored Troops. 

Private Hiram (Herman) B. Hutch- 
inson, Company "A", 20th U. S. C. T. 

Private William Green, Company 
"A", 20th Regiment, U. S. C. T. 

Private Joseph Keyser, Company 
"C", 26th Regiment, U. S. C. T. 

Private John Moshier, Company 
"F", 3d Regiment, U. S. C. T. 

The following from this village and 
town served in regiments from other 
states: 

Captain James D. Whitall, in an 
Illinois regiment, Thomas Booth, lOtn 
N. J. Vols. 

Thomas Jarrold, 7th Mass. 

Edward Flagler, in Company "C", 
Van Horn Battalion, Missouri Vol. In- 
fantry. 

Sergt. John Henry Hollman, Com- 
pany "C", 2d Regiment, Michigan In- 
fantry. 

William Edward Gallaher, Company 
•"A", 7th N. J. Vols. 



UNITED STATES NAVY. 
The following residents of the town 
of Cortlandt, served in the Navy of 
United States, on board of the steam- 
ship, Vanderbilt, from August 28, 1864 
to June 8, 1865, namely: Moses Bel- 
more, Theodore H. Bennett, William 
Cables, William Cross, John Dela- 
mater, Henry S. Free, William Gau- 
dineer, Hiram Gale, Jacob H. Green, 
John Hancock, Benson Lent, James 
McEnary, Stephen Navin, John Orri- 
son, James Owens, John H. Raymond, 



204 



FROM 1609 TO 1S70. 



John Touhey, Dennis Touhey, John 
Vogt, Washington ^^''ood, Charles 
Wessells and Sylvenus Strang. 

The Vanderbilt, was said to have 
cost the late Commodore Cornelius 
Vanderbilt, the princely sum of one 
million of dollars. This magnificent 
vessel he presented as a gift to the 
United States Government at a most 
opportune time. She was also one of 
the fleet which took part in the bom- 
bardment of Fort Fisher, N. C. The 
first attempt to reduce and capture 
this famous stronghold was made on 
Christmas Day, December 25, 1864. 
^The second and successful one, Jan- 
uary 15, 1865. There also served In 
the same branch of the service, from 
August 12, 1864, to June 28, 1865; 
Robert S. Hancock, Henry Hilliker, 
John M. Hilliker and Cornelius Bo- 
dine, on U. S. S. Isonoma. Cornelius 
V. Simpkins, served as Gunner's Mate, 
from September 3, 1864 to June 5, 
1865, on the U. S. S. Wyandotte. John 
Farry, of Verplanck, also served on 
the last named vessel as landsman, 
and probably for about the same term. 
On the U. S. S. Florida, John Murray. 
Samuel S. AVood, served his country 
as an assistant paymaster in the 
Naval Service. In the "Honor Roll," 
in the possession of the G. A. R., are 
the names of Benjamin B. Finch, and 
John Curran, both of whom are 
credited with having served in the U. 
S. Navy, but no particulars as to time 
and ship. Patrick Meers, on U. S. S. 
Tennessee; Josiah Ingersoll, on the. 
U. S. S. Hawqua, and Absalom N. 
Ingersoll, in the Marine Corps on 
board the U. S. S. Brooklyn. 

John H. Whitney and William A. 
Lent were landsmen on the U. S. S. S. 
Santiago de Cuba. 



Growth in Population. 

From early records, we learn that 
the population of Westchester in 1698 
was but 1,063, of whom 917 were 
whites and 146 negroes. In 1703, five 
years later, it had grown to 1946, in 
1712 to 2,815, and by 1723, to 4,409. 



The following from official sources 
shows the growth of the county in 
population from 1790 to 1870, in- 
clusive: 

1790 24,003 

1800 27,373 

1810 30,272 

1814 26,367 

1820 32,638 

1825 33,131 

1830 36,456 

1835 38,790 

1840 48,686 

1845 47,578 

1850 58,263 

1855 80,678 

1860 99,497 

1865 101,197 

1870 101,348>^ 

The foregoing shows a natural in- 
crease up to 1810. The census of 1814 
reveals a notable decrease, probably 
owing to the War of 1812 with Great 
Britain. The disparity is almost re- 
lieved by the returns for 1820. From 
1825 to 1835 there :3 a gradual accre- 
tion, and from the latter to 1840, an 
addition of over 26 per centum. There 
is a falling off of more than a thou- 
sand in the next five years, owing 
probably to the exodus from the older 
counties to the new settlements in 
the central part of New York State, 
and still further west. From 1850 to 
1860 is rapid, but in the next decade 
the ratio of increase is but a mere 
trifle, showing very clearly the harvest 
of death reaped by the great Civil 
War. 

Town of Cortlandt. 
The following, from 1840 to 1870, 
shows the growth in population for 
three decades: 

1840 5,592 

1845 6,738 

1850 7,758 

1855 8,468 

1860 10,074 

1865 9,393 

1870 11,695 

A cursory glance shows most con- 
clusively how severe a blow to the 
growth of the town was dealt by the 



FROM 1609 TO 1870 



205 



great internecine struggle of 1861 to 
1865. 

A Word as to Peekskill. 

In 1712 the population of Cortlandt 
Manor is given as 91, while that of 
Ryck's Patent (Peekskill) was 32. 
9 As late as '1830, three yearns after 
* , Peekskill had become an incorporated 
village, it had but 1,131 inhabitants; 
forty years later it was about six 
times greater, or to be exact, accord- 
ing to the census of 1870, a village of 
6,560 souls. 

Before closing this somewhat lengthy 
narrative, I desire to acknowledge my 
thanks to Franklin Couch, Esq., and 
also to Alzamore H. Clark, for valu- 
able data furnished, as well as to Wm. 
J. Charlton, for his compilation of the 
records of the soldiers who went to 
the front when our country was m 
need, among whom he was one. 

The work turned out to be far more 
voluminous than originally contem- 
plated, but the field gradually broad- 
ened, so it became a question as to 
selection or rejection of much matter 
of intrinsic value. I flatter myself that 
what I have ultimately selected will 
prove of value to some later writer, 
who will collate and condense the 
more valuable of the historic and 
personal matters herewith presented. 

In closing I offer the following au- 
thentic transcription of a document, 
which tells its own story. 

City and County, New York, s.s.: 

I, Peter Mesier, one of the alder- 
men of the city of New York and a 
judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 
called the Mayor's Court, in and for 
the said city, DO CERTIFY, That on 
this day, John Thomas, residing in 
the said city, a black man, exhibited 
proof before me, reduced to writing, 
of the freedom of him, the said John, 
and being satisfied with such proof, I 
am of the opinion, and do adjudge that 



the said John is free according to the 
laws of this state, and I DO FURTHER 
CERTIFY, that the said John Is a per- 
son about five feet seven inches high, 
has dark eyes and dark hair, that 
he was born at New York, in the State 
of New York, and that he became free 
in or before the year eighteen hundred 
and six, as nearly as can be ascer- 
tained. 

GIVEN under my hand this thirteenth 
day of April, in the year one thou- 
sand eight hundred and eleven. 
(Signed) 

Peter Mesier. 
City and County of New York, s.s.: 

Henry Pier, of the Third Ward, of 
the said city, being duly sworn, saith 
that he has for five years last past, 
been well acquainted with John 
Thomas, resides in the said city, that 
he is about the age of forty-five years, 
and was born at New York, in the 
State of New York, as this deponent 
is informed and verily believes, that 
during all the said time whilst this 
deponent has been acquainted with 
the said John, as aforesaid, the said 
John hath been reputed and consid- 
ered to be free, and hath continually 
acted as a freeman during the said 
time, and that the said John became 
free in or before the year eighteen 
hundred and six, as this deponent is 
also informed and believes. And, fur- 
ther, this deponent saith not. 

his 
Henry X Pier, 
mark 
Sworn the thirteenth day of April, 
1911, before me 

(Signed) Peter Mesier, Ald'n. 
The instrument is indorsed 
John Thomas, 

Filed May 1, 1811. 

STEPHEN D. HORTON. 



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